Graduate Unemployment Rate Research Articles

Enrolment of students in Nigerian tertiary institutions: A reflective impact of the slogan ‘who school help'

There has been a noticeable decline in enrolment in some Nigerian tertiary institutions, such as colleges of education, polytechnics, and some state-owned universities. Various factors have been identified as influencing this problem. This study aims to investigate the impact of the popular slogan "Who School Help" on post-secondary school enrolment in Nigeria. The study used a descriptive survey research design, collecting both qualitative and quantitative data. A purposive sampling method was used to select participants from Senior Secondary Class 1 to Senior Secondary Class 3. In this category, 565 students were selected. Additionally, 20 participants were accidentally selected based on inclusion criteria, with 10 of them being secondary school graduates and the other 10 being graduates from tertiary institutions. The study found that all participants claimed to be familiar with and resonate with the slogan 'Who School Help?' Furthermore, the study revealed that factors such as graduate unemployment rate, salary disparities, and political dynamics motivate the promotion of the slogan as a means to explain the decline in post-secondary school enrolment. In conclusion, the study determined that the popular use of the slogan "Who School Help" among Nigerian youths significantly influences individuals' decisions regarding post-secondary education. The limitations and recommendations of the study were also discussed.

Concurrent Vocational Education Through Microlearning Approaches at Higher Education, Assessing the Capacity, Awareness and the Will of Universities in Garowe, Somalia

Purpose: The study investigated the possibility of establishing concurrent vocational education and training through microlearning platforms by assessing whether universities in Garowe had the minimum basic facilities to establish such programmes, whether academic staff were aware of the state of vocational education, its importance, the rate of unemployment in Garowe and Puntland in general, and whether university professionals were willing to establish these training programmes as concurrent options. Method: It was a survey study of a qualitative approach and data was collected using an inventory checklist of institutions capacity, a close ended questionnaire to academic staff on their general perception of vocational education and training, and detailed interviews of both academic and administrative staff purposively selected at higher education institutions in Garowe to find out their willingness as stakeholders to adopt vocational training at higher education using microlearning approaches. Findings: Universities in Garowe Puntland have the basic minimum facilities to establish microlearning oriented platforms although respondents emphasise that it should be supplemented with some physical practical sessions and modules. It is evident that introducing vocational education at higher education is one of the solutions to the unending graduate unemployment. However just like some respondents recommend, micro-learning for vocational education should be supplemented with some physical practical sessions and modules, hence a kind of blended approach. The study also found that there is hardly any career guidance done at the secondary school level and this affects choice of professional careers as students transition from secondary to tertiary education. Conclusions: It is evident from findings that the attitude towards vocational education in Puntland has not been good, although with awareness and given the increased rate of graduate unemployment, the attitude can also be changed gradually. The study recommends a needs assessment before establishing certain training programmes to avoid the recurring challenges of mismatch between training programmes and the labour needs plus a need to intensify their international and regional collaborations with more experienced organisations and institutions. There is need for a curriculum review process of the existing university curriculum to accommodate the vocational concurrent programmes.

고등교육 대중화 시기, STEM 졸업자 비율이 대졸 실업률에 미치는 영향

With the expansion of higher education, it has been reported that the relative advantage of university graduates decreased. However, STEM graduates tended to be an exception, as the demand for STEM majors has gradually been increasing in the knowledge economy society where economic development is based on R&D innovation. Against this backdrop, this study aimed to explore how the proportion of STEM graduates might affect college graduate unemployment rates in major OECD countries where the enrollment rates of universities have been on the rise. Two models—a fixed-effects model and a fixed-effects two-stage model using an instrumental variable—were used to examine whether the ratio of STEM graduates affected the unemployment rates of college graduates between 2000 and 2019 for 19 OECD countries. Consequently, this research has reached the conclusion that the proportion of STEM major graduates in a country has a statistically significant adverse effect on the college graduate unemployment rate. The result based on this causal inference method can provide a policy basis for the government to support the cultivation of STEM talents considering that the supply of STEM majors has been insufficient in many countries.

Recontextualising graduate employability in support of pedagogical reform in public universities in the Kurdistan Region‐Iraq

AbstractIn light of the high graduate unemployment rate and migrant crisis, graduate employability in the Kurdistan Region – Iraq is an ever more pressing issue. Reducing the issue of graduate employability to a skills gap between Kurdish graduates and the private sector labour market is too simplistic and dismisses other sociocultural and structural factors that are external to graduates and higher education institutions (HEIs), and which impact the former’s employability. Through a qualitative study and using Bourdieu’s (1977) habitus as an explanatory framework for the analysis, this article aims to recontextualise graduate employability by exploring five stakeholders’ perceptions of what impacts graduate employability in the region. The findings uphold previous labour market reports that there is a skills gap, but also reveals other sociocultural and structural factors that also impact graduate employability. The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MHESR) has introduced a programme of pedagogical reform in KRI’s public HEIs and is in the process of training its academic practitioners in the tenets of Freire’s (1970) critical pedagogy. This article supports the implementation of Freire’s critical pedagogy in KRI’s public HEIs as a critical pedagogy can address the skills gap while also creating spaces for students to explore, question, analyse and evaluate the sociocultural and structural factors that impact graduate employability in KRI.

The Reasons Why the Unemployment Rate of Graduates is Increasing in Mogadishu-Somalia

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to find the Reasons Why Unemployment rate of graduates is increasing in Mogadishu Somalia with more specifically on how can English communication skill can cause unemployment graduate? And also to determine transparent recruitment process through graduates in Mogadishu-Somalia. Unemployment Graduates in Somalia has become one of the most serious socio-economic problems confronting the country which could also form basis of the violent crimes and the unending social difficulties. One of the primary causes is undoubtedly Unemployment and mof this.
 Methodology: Descriptive statistics was used to quantify frequencies and describe current conditions. The total target population for this article was 80 Respondents who are including Unemployment Graduates, Lecturers, post-graduate and undergraduates at some universities, official workers for the government in Mogadishu-Somalia. The minimum sample size is 67 respondents and was computed by using the Slovin’s formula which is n= N/1+N (0.052), where n= sample size, N= study population and 0.05= level of significance margin of error (Amin, 2005). In data analysis, Educational levels varied, with 52.24% bachelor, 22.39% secondary, 16.42% master, 5.97% PHD, and 2.99% none. 
 Findings: Most of the participants underlined that the Nepotism and clannism is main factor that contribute unemployment in Mogadishu-Somalia. Lecturers and graduates believed English language has an influence on unemployment that exist in Mogudishu-somalia. In Conclusion, Unemployment in Mogadishu is that it remains a significant challenge. The city faces high rates of unemployment, particularly among the college graduates. Based on the findings of the study, it was concluded that the Nepotism and clannism is main factor that contribute unemployment in Mogadishu-Somalia and Lecturers and graduates believed English language has an influence on unemployment that exist in Mogudishu-somalia. Thus, The following contribution are derived from the findings of the article: the paper found that there a lot of opportunities related availability of jobs in Somalia particularly Mogadishu but the problem are Skills mismatch among Graduates, Clannism and Nepotism and English language proficiency.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The researcher found availability of jobs in Mogadishu is high but the process of getting it, is Unfair. For the sake of this, there are huge number of Unemployment graduates. Research adapted as valid as our theory was that there is increasing rate of Unemployment Graduates in Mogadishu, this theory was supported by our most of the participants of this paper suggested high unemployment graduates exist in there. Policy directed by the Government and practice is for local companies and NGOs and UN agencies operating in Mogadishu-Somalia. Moreover, the government of Somalia should create a plan to improve the standard of education in the country and local agencies, companies and Industries should distribute fairly vacant position to graduates.

Entrepreneurial Attributes and Venture Creation among Undergraduate Students of Selected Universities in Southwest, Nigeria

This study examined the effect of entrepreneurial attributes on venture creation among undergraduate students of selected universities in Southwest, Nigeria. The study measures the presence of entrepreneurial attributes (creativity, critical thinking, risk taking, leadership skills and resilience) among undergraduate students of selected public and private universities in Southwest, Nigeria. A total of 751 copies of questionnaires were distributed and 616 copies were returned and deemed suitable for analysis. A structural equation model (PLS 3.0) was used for the analysis. The result showed that entrepreneurial attributes contribute more to business opportunity identification, business planning and business startups. This implies that universities in Nigeria should develop these attributes (creativity, critical thinking, risk taking, leadership skills and resilience) through entrepreneurship education to reduce the rate of graduate unemployment in Nigeria.

Gender Differences in Determinants of Students’ Interest in STEM Education

Despite the government’s call for students to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), the gender gap in STEM education is still of significant concern in South Africa. This study aimed to describe different push-pull factors that influenced male and female students when choosing STEM education at the TVET college level. This study used qualitative research methods and focus-group interviews with a sample of 20 students studying at a TVET college in a rural part of the Limpopo province. In addition, a thematic analysis was used to analyse the data collected. The study revealed that the following factors: lucrative salary, graduate unemployment rate, aptitude for mathematics and science, parental education and autonomy and independence, and rejecting stereotypical feminine identities were push-pull factors that influenced both male and female TVET college students to choose STEM education. The policy implication of this study is that an Afrocentric approach should be infused into the teaching and learning of STEM at TVET colleges.

Determinants of youth unemployment rate: case of Slovakia

Research background: The employment rate of young individuals in the labour market has considerably decreased in developed countries recently. Due to lower labour capital, skills, and generic and job-specific work experience, youth consider finding suitable job challenging. If they fail to succeed in the labour market soon after graduation, it leads to long-term unemployment, unstable and low-quality jobs, and even social exclusion. Purpose of the article: This paper aims to analyse the unemployment rate of high school-graduated students and the factors impacting this unemployment rate, such as GDP per capita, total unemployment rate, apartment price per square meter and results from state exams. Identifying the determinants affecting youth unemployment is crucial for theoretical knowledge and for policymakers to ensure youth inclusion in the economic mainstream. As a result, society can reduce social and economic costs and avoid structural problems in the future. Methods: Data about 464 Slovak high schools from National Institute for Certified Educational. Data include the graduate unemployment rate for each high school in Slovakia. Furthermore, two logistic regression models have been developed to investigate the impact of selected factors on high school graduates? unemployment rate immediately after graduation and nine months after graduation. Findings & value added: This paper indicates the existence of statistical dependency between unemployment of high school graduates and overall unemployment rate in the region, GDP per capita in the region, quality of high school education and cost of living in the region immediately after graduation. Analysis of the period nine months after graduation has shown the important decline of education quality provided by high schools. To reduce youth unemployment, the state should focus primarily on improving overall unemployment itself by implementing a dual-learning system, simplifying business opportunities, making part-time work available, or introducing lifelong learning to help transform the economy into a knowledge base.

Effects of Entrepreneurship Education on Start-up Propensity: Technical and Vocational College Lecturers' Perspectives

This research aimed to engage the prevailing status that education in entrepreneurship is offered to college students in South Africa to enhance the learning and teaching efficiency of TVET college, which should lead to motivating and preparing graduates to start their own businesses. At the time of this study (2020), the total youth unemployment rate was 40.3%. In addition, the youth graduate unemployment rate was 55.2%. It is concerning that the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college graduates face this challenge. It is significantly possible that South African TVET students will face unemployment after graduation due to the high unemployment rate and the competition in the job market from other universities. Accordingly, there is a need to transform TVET college students into entrepreneurs who can self-sustain upon completion of their studies.Ajzen's theory of planned behaviour was used to address the paucity of literature on entrepreneurial education and start-up propensity. Accordingly, a research questionnaire was structured to address the issue: "To what extent do the variables in the entrepreneurial environment (TVET colleges), in the form of knowledge of entrepreneurship, perceived self-efficacy and attitude towards entrepreneurship, affect the entrepreneurial intentions of students?" This study proved the direct relationship between entrepreneurship education, inclination, and intention to start a business.A few recommendations are made regarding investment in entrepreneurship education and infrastructure, partnering with private and public companies, and entrepreneurship as an integral part of development in the national policy framework that addresses unemployment.

The effects of education-job (mis)match on the earnings of graduates in the Czech Republic

Abstract This paper deals with the effects of education-job (mis)match on the earnings of higher education graduates in the context of higher education expansion and different phases of the economic cycle in the Czech Republic in 2006–2018. It aims to contribute to knowledge about the effects of education-job (mis)match on earnings in two ways. First, it concentrates on both the vertical and the horizontal dimensions of education-job (mis)match. Second, it considers the effects of contextual variables: the share of graduates in the population and the unemployment rate of graduates. The paper is based on assumptions derived from assignment theory. The authors use data of graduates’ self-evaluation collected in national and international graduate surveys – REFLEX, REFLEX 2010, REFLEX 2013, and Absolvent 2018. The data for contextual variables come from Eurostat and the Czech Statistical Office. The analyses focus on graduates four to five years after graduation. They are examined both as a whole and in groups based on the field of study using the method of weighted least squares. Overeducation usually has significant negative effects on earnings. Horizontal match effects are contradictory. The education-job (mis)match effects are relatively small in comparison with other factors. The role of contextual variables is mostly predictable, however, some exceptions uncover specifics of the labour market in the Czech Republic. There are important differences among groups of graduates in different fields of study.

Graduate Tracer Study for Refining TVET Programs

The Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is key to overall development of a nation. Unemployment to TVET graduates in any country means either the country is on the wrong track of development or the TVET education not salable. Tracer study helps to move TVET in right track. Many TVET scholars emphasize conducting tracer study frequently to save TVET from quality erosion. Selection of a method and instrument, preparation for a survey, case study and focus group discussions are the major activities to be performed to conduct tracer studies. Here, an elaborate description is made on the entire process of Tracer Study conducted in the TVET. The views of graduates as well as their employers are the main data to pull out findings and refinement has to be done accordingly. Data collection should be more accurate and tools used should be appropriate for giving right direction to TVET. CTEVT and the central and administered Technical Institutions are conducting tracer studies from time to time to reflect reality. But, the application of the findings of tracer studies is a big question in CTEVT such as the revision of curriculum does not happen for a long time. As a result, the unemployment rate of graduates is on rise. Real tracer studies with commitment for change as per market need are the demand of modern TVET.

Driving Digital Competency Model Towards IR 4.0 In Malaysia

Today, fourth industrial revolution is causing tremendous uncertainty. These developments transform the way we live, and the way we work. The work environment change the job profiles and therefore requires employees with a wide range of competencies. Digital inclusion today depends largely more on competences than access to technologies. While there are challenges in getting high skilled jobs for the local workforce, the graduate unemployment rate in Malaysia was more than three times higher than national unemployment. The graduate unemployment has raised several queries on relevancy of education systems matching the industry skill needs. Industry has puzzled on skills measures to close the gap of digital skills required. Scholars and policymakers called for more research to discover the root causes of graduate unemployed. The first objective of the study is to investigate the digital skills that industry required and those unemployed graduates currently possess. Second objective is to develop the digital competency model that drives towards industry revolution 4.0. The outcome is to recommend the set of digital skills that graduates required to meet the industry expectations. This study also contributes to policy and practices as the provided competency model that can be applicable to industry 4.0 in the context of Malaysia.

Entrepreneurship Education and Graduate Unemployment in Kogi State

The study aimed at the inclusion of entrepreneurship in the education curriculum and the inability of graduates to get jobs in Kogi State. Thus entrepreneurship education and its impact on graduate unemployment were investigated. A descriptive survey design was used to achieve the study’s objectives. Six (6) higher institutions in Kogi State were chosen to make up the study’s population. Due to the nature of the research, we concentrated on students. The study determined the sample size of 385. Inferential and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data gathered. Multiple regression analysis (inferential statistics) was applied to unveil the impact of independent variables on the dependent variable. The finding showed that entrepreneurship education has a significant effect on the unemployment rate of graduates in Kogi state. The study concluded that entrepreneurship in the education curriculum can influence a reduction in the unemployment rate of graduates in Kogi State. The study recommended the review of policy relative to entrepreneurial education to enhance the high degree of its effectiveness in Kogi State higher institutions.

The Depreciation of Diploma in Tunisia: Rising Unemployment Rate of Graduates of Higher Education

The Depreciation of Diploma in Tunisia: Rising Unemployment Rate of Graduates of Higher Education

The Impact of Oil Price on Nigeria Economy

This study attempts to examine the graduate unemployment in Nigeria: A case study of Sokoto Metropolis, Sokoto State. It seeks to identify the determinants of graduate unemployment in the metropolis. The data used it was primary in nature. The sampling techniques adopted was non-probability sampling; the Technics used is accidental non-probability sampling. The instrument of data collection used was Questionnaire method; 200 copies were distributed within the Sokoto metropolis, 184 were retrieve 16 were not retrieve. The variable of the study are; unemployment challenge by the graduate, subject studied by the graduate, faculty graduated from, and class of degree. The method of analysis used are multiple regression, independent T-test, descriptive statistics. The result reveal that second class lower, History, Faculty of Arts, and Faculty of social sciences a found to the determinant of graduate unemployment in the state. Also in terms of Gender it was found, that there is negative significant difference between male and female graduate in the state. The study concludes that graduate s that graduated from Faculty of Arts and social sciences are the one likely, facing graduate unemployment in the state. The study recommends that there is need for state-university collaboration so that to know the required graduates an economy need at a time. Another policy implication is that, there is need for government intervention to avoid skills miss-match among graduate in the state so that to reduce the rate of graduate unemployment.

Challenges TVET graduates face during school to work transition in selected technical universities in Ghana

Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) has fundamentally been the avenue for creating technically skilled graduates whose skills were meant to have been fused into Ghana’s industrial sector to improve and ensure performance at the highest level. For this reason, technical universities have been established in each of the ten (10) regions to provide targeted skilled education to students. Unfortunately, certain challenges have hindered the ability of these technical universities to live up to its core function in Ghana by preparing students to take up entrepreneurship activities. The crust of the study was to identify the transitional challenges and suggest actionable strategies that can be adopted to improve the fortunes of technical universities towards creating a more sustainable educational system that can make School-work transition easier for graduates. The study objectives covered from identifying the transitional challenges, strategies that can be adopted to remedy these challenges and the benefits of TVET as a strategic means of reducing the rate of graduate unemployment. The study adopted a mixed method research design and used both qualitative and quantitative methods to collected primary data using questionnaires and interviews. Even though other challenges were identified, the findings revealed the most peculiar challenge is lack of supportive system during transition and the disconnection between curriculum and business needs. The study therefore recommends government to formulate policies for the smooth transition of these graduates, employ professionals and develop work-based courses to enhance the attractiveness of Technical universities.

The Importance of Inclusive Leadership Practice In Higher Education Administration

This paper aims to offer empirical evidence of the importance of inclusive leadership practice in higher education administration and the role educational professionals play in the academic setting to achieve institutional goals and vision. At a time when institutions are advocating with governmental agencies for funding and the graduate unemployment rate continues to be a challenge, it is critical for educational leaders, administrators, and professionals, alike, to be diverse and competent in inclusive practices in higher education. For instance, it is undesirable for an employee of any institution, whether staff, faculty (part-time and full-time), para personnel, student worker, consultant or other professionals within the campus environment to feel alienated in the governing process of institutional change. Inclusive leadership makes professionals feel a sense of belonging in the workplace thus contributing to the vision and goals of the workplace. Keywords: Inclusive Leadership, Higher Education, Administration, Leadership Practice, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8444-8619

Adapting the Mauritian higher education system for effective workforce development

There has been an alarming rate of graduate unemployment in Mauritius over the past 5 years. The education system has been criticized for being too academic and not driven by the requirements of industry, leading to a skills mismatch. The Mauritian government has consequently announced several new schemes to boost employment and economic growth. This study analyses two innovative approaches for effective workforce development: a university–industry collaborative programme developed by Accenture Academy and the University of Mauritius and a dual apprenticeship scheme operated by the Université des Mascareignes in partnership with the Mauritius Exports Association (MEXA). MEXA has formed a partnership with UDM for providing customized training to its employees. The article also considers the National Human Resource Development Plan for Mauritius and other relevant studies. The main research question is whether the traditional system of higher education needs to be adapted in the light of the country’s ambition to emerge as a high-income economy by 2030. The study contributes to an understanding of how partnerships and collaboration can help to improve lifelong employability in the Mauritian context and how they may ultimately contribute to the reduction of graduate unemployment.

A dual-functional social innovation process model for low-cost houses through university-enabled initiative

Purpose The purpose of this study is to develop a dual-functional university-enabled social innovation process model on the subject of low-cost houses that addresses the distinct elements of social obligation and university teaching–learning. Design/methodology/approach This study has predominantly adopted a longitudinal single case study approach, where data have been collected through interviews, survey, participant observation, direct observation and document review. The case study details on the social innovation processes, which was conducted by Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. Findings This study has demonstrated the social innovation processes toward addressing the issue of insufficient low-cost houses, concurrently benefitting the teaching–learning dimension. Three sub-innovations have been highlighted in the developed social innovation process model, which are collaboration process, teaching–learning and design-construct innovation. Research limitations/implications Because the study has been based on a single prototype project, further investigation is necessary to confirm the applicability of the full-fledged model. The established social innovation process model is also suggested to be tested in other social fields. Practical implications The established social innovation process model has created a new perspective that enables universities to contribute in providing shelter for low-income families, simultaneously enhancing the teaching–learning dimension through experiential learning. Social implications The dual-functional social innovation process model provides a synergistic relationship between the university and the society. Ultimately, the model could address social issues pertaining to low-income families with the built of low-cost houses, concurrently preparing graduates who are highly marketable, which could reduce the rate of graduate unemployment in the country. Originality/value The development of the social innovation process model for low-cost houses through university-enabled initiative is a novel establishment, particularly for developing nations, as limited studies have been conducted in this regard. The significant insights into how university could play a role in addressing major social issues, along with their core focus (teaching–learning and research development), is a breakthrough for further diffusions of social innovation by universities.

Tertiary Students’ Perceptions about Their Prospects of Employability: The Case of Students in Ghana

ABSTRACTThe soaring rate of graduate unemployment in Ghanahas continued to engage the attention of government and other stakeholders in finding a lasting and sustainable solution to the problem. However, the critical question that always arises is how students in tertiary institutions perceive their employability and what the extent of their knowledge of the requirements in the labour market is. Empirical information on this critical question will help guide employment policy formulation, skills training and entrepreneurial development. It is in this vein that this article presents an analysis of students’ perceptions about the prospects of employability in the job market among students of the University for Development Studies (UDS) and Tamale Polytechnic. Purposive and convenience sampling techniques were used in selecting 368 students from the two institutions and interviewing them by means of a semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and probit regression analysis were applied in analysing the data. The analysis revealed that students prefer to be employed in public or private organisations than engage in self-employed enterprises. The results of the survey indicated that students generally are aware of the job market requirements but are, however, not confident about their employability. The students’ age, residential status, and access to entrepreneurial training as well as prospects of securing a preferred job, work experience and level of studies were found to be significant determinants of their perceived prospects of employability. There is the need for entrepreneurial training and orientation of students in tertiary institutions in order to equip and inspire them in terms of self-employed enterprise creation and skills development.