An assessment of employers' expectations to enhance the employability of university graduates in Namibia
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Date
2023
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of Namibia
Abstract
The issue of university graduate employability is a universal challenge however severe in
developing countries. Namibia is one such developing country that has challenges with
graduate employability. This study was conducted to establish the employers' perceptions of
graduate employability. The study sought to establish the employers' perceptions towards
graduate employability, employers' views on the effectiveness of recruitment and selection
methods to determine the skills of graduates, and to establish interventions that can be put in
place to enhance graduates' employability. The study adopted a qualitative exploratory research
design informed by interpretivism as the research philosophy underpinning the study. Out of a
population of 69 employers, twenty purposively selected employers were interviewed using a
semi-structured interview guide, which contained questions, aligned with the research
objectives. Data were analyzed using a thematic data analysis technique. An Atlas ti software
was used to analyse data. The following results were obtained.
Employers perceived graduates to lack hands-on and soft skills. According to the employers,
a lack of hands-on skills compromised productivity, and a lack of soft skills affected adjusting
to the work environment and fitting into the team. The employers further indicated that a lack
of these skills made the induction process long and costly to the organisation. The study
established that recruitment and selection were aimed to select recruits who were then taken
for induction, hence the selection process fails to determine the skills of the graduate. Finally,
the study recommended the need for an inclusive approach to curriculum design, where all key
stakeholders are part of the curriculum design process. The study also recommended enacting
an attachment policy, which is inclusive and includes a module on soft skills in all courses. The
Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creations were requested to conduct
a skills audit, to guide and inform tertiary institutions on the demand for skills. Universities
would be informed of trades, which require additional skills. The study also raised the need to
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counsel students during their final year at university. The study suggested further study
involving all key stakeholders on the challenges of graduate employability so that an inclusive
plan of action can be generated
Description
A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the master of business administration management strategy
Keywords
Employability, Graduate, Perceptions, Interventions, Curriculum, Tertiary