Undergraduate employability training and employment: a UAE study

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the link between female undergraduate student participation in a university-sponsored employment skills development program and employment post-graduation. Design/methodology/approach – From historical institutional data a random sample was analyzed using the logistic regression model. The main variable investigated was participation in the World of Work (WOW) program during undergraduate study. It was hypothesized that participation would contribute positively to the probability of employment after graduation. Findings – Grade point average at the time of graduation was also expected to have a positive relationship with employability. The study found that those who participated in the WOW program while undergraduates were more 6.7 times more likely to find post-graduate employment than non-participants. Research limitations/implications – Data were collected at a single institution as such findings may not be generalizable. Practical implications – This study provides support for the inclusion of employability training at the tertiary level and provides evidence to support resourcing such initiatives. Social implications – The study supports the development of work-ready, nationals and to supplying the UAE economy with needed human capital, in particular the goal of Emiratization. Originality/value – This study is of one of very few in the Arabian Gulf region to examine employability factors of university graduates.

Factors affecting placement and hiring decisions: A study of students’ perceptions

“…These findings are consistent with those of previous studies on graduate employability (Caldwell and O’Reilly, 1990; Capobianco, 2009; Kristof-Brown, 2000; Mulligan, 2017; O’Reilly et al, 1991; Schmitt and Chan, 1998). However, the results differ somewhat from the findings of Temtamy et al (2016), who highlight academic scores, campus location and major subject as the primary contributors to graduate employability.…”

“…Dhingra ( 2018) also found that the letter of application and external recommendations were of negligible importance, while specialization, academic scores and the reputation of the institution moderately affected selection decisions during campus recruitment. El-Temtamy et al (2016) found that marks, campus location and the subject of study positively supported graduate employability and increased the chances of employment on graduation. Capobianco (2009) highlights that less importance is given to the academic institution's reputation by employers than is usually assumed by prospective students when they are choosing an HEI.…”

Professional application projects: work-based learning in the curriculum

“…Even acknowledging the limitations of these reports as the sole source of data to claim that actual learning has occurred, or that an ideal learning has been achieved, the statements of the students substantiate that the PAP experience is meaningful to them and achieves the central WBL aim of the program: to allow the students to apply prior knowledge and learn through practice in an "authentic" environment. Particular aspects of reported learning echo findings of other researchers, for example that students develop self-confidence through placement experiences (Edwards, 2014), that students in placements develop specific competencies that foster employability (Wilton, 2014;Helyer and Lee, 2014), and that they also develop "generic skills," and soft competencies such as teamwork, communication and attitude to work (El-Temtamy et al, 2016;Miller et al, 2013). Other aspects present in students' reports that are less discussed in the work-based learning literature are being a change agent and doing social service through placements.…”

Enhancing English Proficiency and Communication Skills Among Malaysian Graduates through Training and Coaching

“…By implementing English training programs through this approach, knowledge and skills can be shared between employers and employees. Successful transfer of skills leads to the development of the competency of workers (El-Temtamy et al, 2016). Nagarajan and Edwards (2015), claim that the transfer of knowledge and skills prepares employees to be competitive in the challenging job market.…”