What makes better career opportunities for young graduates? Examining acquired employability skills in higher education institutions. Issue 6 (1st July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ng, Peggy M.L.; Chan, Jason K. Y.; Wut, Tai Ming; Lo, Man Fung; Szeto, Irene
• Is Part Of: Education + training. Volume 63:Issue 6(2021)
• Page Start: 852
• Page End: 871
• Publication Date: 2021-07-01
• Subjects: Employability skills -- Employer engagement -- Structural equation modelling -- Work-integrated learning (WIL) -- Young graduates; Vocational education -- Periodicals; Occupational training -- Periodicals; Business and education -- Periodicals; 370.113
• DOI: 10.1108/ET-08-2020-0231
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0040-0912

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual model to examine key employability skills that match workplace requirements and foster employability. Design/methodology/approach: This research comprises a cross-sectional study from self-financing institutions in Hong Kong. The current study adopted structural equation modeling to examine key employability skills that match workplace requirements and foster employability. Findings: Based on the empirical findings, the acquired employability skills of young graduates are entrepreneurship, professional development, work with others, self-management, communication and problem solving. Moreover, higher education institutions should work closely with industry stakeholders to get employers engaged with the work-integrating learning (WIL) programs and subsequently equip young graduates for better employability opportunities. In connection with employer engagement, employability skills of communication, problem solving and self-management would be improved. Furthermore, entrepreneurship and problem-solving skills could further be developed for young graduating students working in SME organizations during WIL. Originality/value: As a notable gap exists in the current literature to examine young graduates' key employability skills in the context and content of Hong Kong self-financing tertiary education, this research explores key employability skills of self-financed young graduates and the relative importance of employability skills across company size using a quantitative approach.