Fostering Sustainable Career Development and Employability Among Young People in the Changing World of Work: Employers’ Perspective

Abstract

This paper considers employers’ perspective on personal change management and adaptation characteristics relative to young people's career development and employability in Cross River State, Nigeria. Subjects were 210 employers (112 males and 98 females), with varying years of working experience. These were drawn from 66 public and private work settings in the State. The subjects were required to specify and rate those personal traits they consider important with regard to enhancing young people's career development and employability within the context of increasingly complex and rapidly changing workplace. Actual numbers and percentages were used to present results. Findings indicated that: continuous learning, networking, teamwork, persistence, planfulness, risk-taking, optimism, and flexibility were most popular qualities considered by subjects. However, goal-orientation, continuous learning and responsiveness were rated highest in terms of their relative importance. Counselling implications were discussed.