EMPLOYABILITY PROGRAMMES AND GRADUATES’ ASSESSMENT OF THEIR EMPLOYABILTY

Abstract

Discourse on graduate employability issues has centered on issues relating to the “quality” or rather the lack of quality of graduates. In this light, Higher Learning Institutions (HLIs) and other agencies have taken heed to enhance students’ competencies through the implementation of graduate employability programmes (EP). This paper presents the finding of a study on the perceived impacts of graduate employability programmes on their work-related knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics (KSAOs). A set of questionnaire was developed and distributed to a sample of participants who attended an EP. Based on the responses of the participants, the paper discusses among others, the different perceived competencies amongst participants. The findings could be used to guide the EP providers, trainers, and HLIs in reviewing and improving the existing EP

Keywords

• graduate, employability programme, employers

References

1. Brown, S. (2006). Developing employability: An institutional approach. Unpublished paper presented at Seminar on Employability: A Distinctive Approach to Graduates Employment. Putrajaya.
2. Godfrey, M. (1986). Global Unemployment: The New Challenge to Economic Theory. Sussex: Harvester Press.
3. Hillage, J. & E. Pollard. (1999).Employability: Developing a Framework for Policy Analysis. London: Department for Education and Employment.
4. Morshidi Sirat, Chan Lean Heng, Munir Shuib, Shukran Abdul Rahman, Seri Rahayu Ahmad Kamil and Jasvir Kaur Nachatar Singh (2012) Employability of graduates in Malaysia.In UNESCO (Eds). Employability in Asia. Bangkok: Asia and Pacific Regional Bureau for Education
5. Saterfield, T. H. and McLarty, J. R. (1995). Assessing employability skills. ERIC Digest, ED391109, USA
6. Shukran Abdul Rahman & Munir Shuib (2011) Graduate Employability and Grad uateness: An Overview of Concepts, Interpretations and Emerging Issues in Mala ysia, paper presented at 2nd International Conference on Humanities, Historical a nd Social Sciences, (CHHSS 2011), Cairo, 21-23 October, 2011
7. Shukran Abdul Rahman, Wok, S., Majid, H.S.A, & Noor, N.M (2004). Graduate Employability, Kuala Lumpur: Admissions and Records