Exploring employability skills of UM scholars using factor analysis

Abstract

This study measures the employability skills of 90 student scholars in a private higher institution. Using factor analysis, the study yielded factor loadings which pointed to the clustering of the dimensions of the employability skills of the student scholars. These comprise then the developed framework of the study, namely; adaptability skills, problem-solving skills, communication skills and information management skills. As for the levels of employability skills of the student scholars, all dimensions got high results with communication skills as the highest. As for the significant difference, the over-all result failed to reject the hypothesis which implies that the trainings, coaching and mentoring, learning outcomes in school and immersion to the different tasks assigned to them in the program of their study are acquired by them homogenously. Moreover, the in-depth interviews with the supervisors of the scholars was used to validate the responses of the student scholars on their employability skills. Responses of the supervisors signified four essential themes, namely; work designation, office assignment, supervisor’s coaching, mentoring and the scholar himself. Implications of the study include a developmental program of action for the benefit of the student scholars and the school as a whole. These include embedded teaching method, career development learning, training sessions, coaching, mentoring and counseling techniques.

Keywords: employability skills, student scholars, factor analysis