Employer attributes attracting engineering graduate job aspirants: insights from the Aspire model

Abstract

ABSTRACT Employer attractiveness models need to include student-centric attributes related to the education-to-work transition. A four-factor Aspire model consisting of benefits, nature of work, employer value, and employer visibility was tested using structural equation modelling, with data collected from 2048 full-time college students from India over a period of five years. Behavioural insights were extracted using multivariate analysis of variance of Aspire factors across gender, programmes, course and graduating year. Prominent student-centric and employer-centric attributes that students find more attractive were identified. Institutional and recruiter strategies to enhance employer attractiveness among job aspirants are proposed. The limitations and scope for further work are also highlighted.