Pages: (33-49 )
Abstract
This study examined the influence of skill development on graduate employability in Ekiti State, Nigeria. It identified graduate employability as a major social problem to which the willingness of graduates to acquire skills, skill mismatch, and skill supply shortage are considered major culprits. A descriptive survey design was adopted. Using Taro Yamane formula, 305 respondents were selected out of 1,260 National Youth Service Corps members serving in the State currently. The participant was selected across the sixteen local Government of the state using stratified random sampling technique. Two research questions and one research hypothesis were formulated to investigate the level of skill development among graduates in Ekiti State and their level of employability. Findings from this study revealed that except for emotional intelligence, cognitive ability, core technical skill, and affective skills have significant influence on graduate employability. However, all the variables influenced employability significantly when analyzed together. This implied that skill development will predict graduate employability. It is recommended that Government, tertiary institutions, employers of labour and other stake holders should continue to bring up graduates with skills required for gainful employment through series of programs for students and various forms of on-the-job training for young graduates across Nigeria.
Keywords: Skill development, social problem, employability, gainful employment, tertiary institutions.,