Undergraduate employability training and employment: a UAE study

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the link between female undergraduate student participation in a university-sponsored employment skills development program and employment post-graduation. Design/methodology/approach – From historical institutional data a random sample was analyzed using the logistic regression model. The main variable investigated was participation in the World of Work (WOW) program during undergraduate study. It was hypothesized that participation would contribute positively to the probability of employment after graduation. Findings – Grade point average at the time of graduation was also expected to have a positive relationship with employability. The study found that those who participated in the WOW program while undergraduates were more 6.7 times more likely to find post-graduate employment than non-participants. Research limitations/implications – Data were collected at a single institution as such findings may not be generalizable. Practical implications – This study provides support for the inclusion of employability training at the tertiary level and provides evidence to support resourcing such initiatives. Social implications – The study supports the development of work-ready, nationals and to supplying the UAE economy with needed human capital, in particular the goal of Emiratization. Originality/value – This study is of one of very few in the Arabian Gulf region to examine employability factors of university graduates.