Achieving graduate employability through consensus in the South Pacific island nation

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to recognise the important technical and business skills and personal attributes necessary to support the “employability” of undergraduate business students.

Design/methodology/approach

Senior‐level undergraduate business students and employers were surveyed regarding their perceptions on the importance of certain general business and technical skills and personal attributes which contribute to employability of the students in the industries.

Findings

Results indicate that significant differences were shown to exist between students and employers in their perceptions of each of the three “employability” support fields. Results also suggest the overall importance of establishing a platform for the career advancement of graduates.

Research limitations/implications

It is recommended that future research or replications among other samples should examine the perceptions of the academics on employability.

Practical implications

Based on the findings, specific implications related to employers, students and educational institutions were identified. The study offers new insights into the concept of employability by reclamation of the value of skills and personal attributes required at the workplace.

Originality/value

The paper addresses a foundation to support the “job‐readiness” and “employability” of business graduates as well as the development of industry‐relevant courses to improve the “employability” of business graduates.

Citation

Bhanugopan, R. and Fish, A. (2009), "Achieving graduate employability through consensus in the South Pacific island nation", Education + Training, Vol. 51 No. 2, pp. 108-123. https://doi.org/10.1108/00400910910941273