Assessment of selected employability skills among university undergraduates in North West Nigeria

Abstract

Researches revealed persistent disconnect between requirement and school curriculum especially in tertiary level of education. Most graduates are found below the expectation of the employers. Academic achievement are given more priority than skills necessary for livelihood. This study was aimed at assessing the selected employability skills among undergraduates in North West Nigeria. Survey design was adopted, and the population comprised all 2018/2019 final year undergraduates in the region. Multistage sampling technique was used in getting the participants and the instrument used for data collection was Employability Skills Scale which was validated and confirmed reliable with Cronbach alpha coefficient of . 82 and . 96 for the subscales of the instrument. Data were analysed using frequency and percentage. The results revealed that majority of the undergraduates inthe North West perceived themselves to have high knowledge of employability, and in high need of of communication and problem solving skills. It was recommended among others that communication skills and problem solving skills should be given priority in undergraduate programmes in the North West.