Abstract
Successful transition from universities to the industry is essential for engineering students. The transition becomes comfortable to the students if employers find them to be equipped with the necessary employable skills. However, employability has hardly been prioritized in the research of engineering education. To this end, a sequential explanatory mixed methods research design was employed in two phases to explore the factors of employability and their roles in the engineering streams of civil, architect, computer, electrical, electronics, mechanical, and environmental. In the first phase, a survey was administered to a sample of 314 students. A principal components analysis revealed the following four factors of employability: personal attributes, core attributes, self-management and process attributes, and career guidance. Among these factors, career guidance was more robust in architecture than in the other streams. The second phase of the qualitative case study revealed that the opportunities for exposure, mentorship, internship, and project works in the architecture were greater than that of the computer, civil, and mechanical streams. Consequently, the students from the architecture stream do not face the level of transition to find a job after completing their education compared to students from the other streams.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
ABET: Accreditation Policy and Procedure Manual 2022–2023. The US accreditation board for engineering and Technology (2022)
Adhikary, B.R.: Career counselling. The Himalayan Times, p. 5 (2011)
Ayoubi, R.M., Alzarif, K., Khalifa, B.: The employability skills of business graduates in Syria Do policymakers and employers speak the same language? Educ. Train. 59(1), 61–75 (2017)
Babos, P., Lubyova, M., Studena, I.: Non-formal education dominates the circumstances of lifelong learning (2015). https://www.lllightineurope.com/fileadmin/lllightineurope/download/LLlight_Non-formal_education_dominates_LLL__policybrief_P3_20150922.pdf
Bernstein, I.H., Teng, G.: Factoring items and factoring scales are different: spurious evidence for multidimensionality due to item categorization. Psychol. Bull. 105, 467–477 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.105.3.467
Bhandari, U.: Technical vocational education and training (TEVT) development and social inclusion in Nepal. Tech. Vocat. Educ. Train. Dev. J. 1(13), 30–36 (2013)
Bhattarai, P.C.: Technical and vocational education and training (TVET): What Next? Int. J. Multidiscipl. Perspect. Higher Educ. 5(1), 106–112 (2020). https://doi.org/10.32674/jimphe.v5i1.2505
Boden, R., Nedeva, M.: Employing discourse: universities and graduate ‘employability.’ J. Educ. Policy 25(1), 37–54 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1080/02680930903349489
Cavanagh, J., Burston, M., Southcombe, A., Bartram, T.: Contributing to a graduate-centred understanding of work readiness: an exploratory study of Australian undergraduate students’ perceptions of their employability. Int. J. Manag. Educ. 13, 278–288 (2015)
Cohen, J.: Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences, 2nd edn. Lawrence Erlbaum, New York (1988)
Cohen, L., Manion, L., Morrison, K.: Research Methods in Education, 8th edn. Routledge, New York (2018)
Collins, K.M.T., Onwuegbuzie, A.J., Sutton, I.L.: A model incorporating the rationale and purpose for conducting mixed methods research in special education and beyond. Learn. Disabil. Contemp. J. 4, 67–100 (2006)
Costello, A.B., Osborne, J.W.: Best practice in the exploratory analysis: four recommendations for getting the most from your analysis. Pract. Assess. Res. Eval. 10(7), 1–9 (2005)
Crawford, M., Wright, G.: Delphi method (2016). www.forecastingprinciples.com›files›delphitechniqueRoweWright
Creamer, E.G.: An introduction to fully integrated mixed methods research. Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA (2018)
Creasey, R.: Improving student’s employability. J. Higher Educ. Acad. 8(1), 16–30 (2013). https://doi.org/10.11120/ened.2013.00006
Creswell, J.W.: Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approach. Sage, Thousand Oaks (2009)
Driscoll, D., Appiah-Yeboah, A., Salib, P., Rupert, D.: Merging qualitative and quantitative data in mixed methods research: How to and why not. Ecological and Environmental Anthropology (University of Georgia), 18 (2007). https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1012&context=icwdmeea
Fetters, M.D., Curry, L.A., Creswell, J.W.: Achieving integration in mixed methods designs. Principles and practice. Health Serv. Res. 48, 2134–2156 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-6773.12117
Field, A.: Discovering Statistics Using IBM SPSS Statistics, 5th edn. Sage, Thousand Oaks (2018)
Finch, D.J., Hamilton, L.K., Baldwin, R., Zehner, M.: An exploratory study of factors affecting undergraduate employability. Educ. Train. 55(7), 681–704 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1108/ET-07-2012-0077
Gravetter, J.F., Forzano, B.A.: Research methods for the behavioral sciences, 2nd edn. Thomson Learning, New York (2006)
Guetterman, T., Creswell, J.W., Kuckartz, U.: Using joint displays and MAXQDA software to represent the results of mixed methods research. In: McCrudden, M.T., Schraw, G., Buckendahl, C.W. (eds.) Use of Visual Displays in Research and Testing, pp. 145–175. Information Age Publishing, Charlotte (2015a)
Guetterman, T.C., Fetters, M.D., Creswell, J.W.: Integrating quantitative and qualitative results in health science mixed methods research through joint displays. Ann. Fam. Med. 13, 554–561 (2015b). https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.1865
Gunatlilaka, R., Mayer, M., Vodopivec, M.: The Challenge of Youth Employment in Sri Lanka. The World Bank (2010)
Henson, R.K., Roberts, J.K.: Use of exploratory factor analysis in published research: Common errors and some comment on improved practice. Educ. Psychol. Meas. 66, 393–416 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1177/00131644052824-85
Henson, R.K., Capraro, R.M., Capraro, M.M.: Reporting practices and use of exploratory factor analysis in educational research journals: Errors and explanation. Res. Sch. 11(2), 61–72 (2004)
Hunt, I., Brien, E.O., Tormey, D., Alexander, S., Mc Quade, E., Hennessy, M.: Educational programmes for future employability of graduates in SMEs. J. Intell. Manuf. 24(3), 501–510 (2013)
Husain, Y.M., Mokhtar, B.S., Ahmad, A.A., Mustapha, R.: Importance of employability skills from an employer’s perspective. Procedia Soc. Behav. Sci. 7(3), 430–438 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2010.10.059
Hutcheson, G., Sofroniou, N.: The Multivariate Social Scientist: Introductory Statistics Using Generalized Linear Models. Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA (1999)
Indo Universal Collaboration for Engineering Education: Employability white paper, 2017. Author (2017)
Karki, R.: Employability skills for the graduates of technical training providers in Nepal. TVET Dev. J. 1(13), 69–73 (2013)
Kaushal, U.: Empowering engineering students through employability skills. Higher Learning Research Communications, 6(4), 1–10 (2016). https://doi.org/10.18870/hlrc.v6i4.358
Kim, H.Y.: Analysis of variance (ANOVA) comparing means of more than two groups. Restor. Dent. Endodont. 39(1), 74–77 (2014). https://doi.org/10.5395/rde.2014.39.1.74
Law, V.: Malaysia public universities’ graduate employability policies: An analysis of first-degree graduates’ unemployment and underemployment issues. Int. J. Soc. Sci. Hum. Res. 6(4), 480–489 (2018). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.2589702
Lent, R.W., Brown, S.D., Hackett, G.: Social cognitive career theory. In: Brown, D. (ed.) Career Choice and Development, vol. 18, pp. 255–311. Jossey-Bass, Hoboken (2002)
Linstone, H.A., Turoff, M.: The Delphi Method: Techniques and Applications. Addison-Wesley, New York (2002)
Manning, K.: Authenticity in constructivist inquiry: Methodological considerations without prescription. Qual Inq 3, 93–115 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1177/107780049700300105
Misra, R.K., Khurana, K.: Employability skills among information technology professionals: A literature review. Procedia Comput. Sci. 122, 63–70 (2017)
National Academy of Engineering: Understanding the educational and career pathways of engineers. The National Academies Press (2018). https://doi.org/10.17226/25284
National Planning Commission: Fifteenth plan (2018)
Nilsson, S.: Employability, Employment and the Establishment of Higher Education Graduates in the Labour Market (2017). https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-57168-7_3.
Onwuegbuzie, A.J.: Effect sizes in qualitative research: a prolegomenon. Qual. Quant. 37, 393–409 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1027379223537
Onwuegbuzie, A.J., Combs, J.P.: Emergent data analysis techniques in mixed methods research: a synthesis. In: Tashakkori, A., Teddlie, C. (eds.) SAGE Handbook of Mixed Methods in Social and Behavioral Research, pp. 397–430. Sage, Thousand Oaks (2010)
Onwuegbuzie, A.J., Hitchcock, J.H.: Using mathematical formulae as proof for integrating mixed methods research and multiple methods research approaches: a call for multi-mixed methods and meta-methods in a mixed research 2.0 era. Int. J. Multiple Res. Approaches 11, 213–234 (2019). https://doi.org/10.29034/ijmra.v11n3editorial2
Onwuegbuzie, A.J., Leech, N.L.: Validity and qualitative research: an oxymoron? Qual. Quant. 41, 233–249 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-006-9000-3
Onwuegbuzie, A.J., Witcher, A.E., Collins, K.M.T., Filer, J.D., Wiedmaier, C.D., Moore, C.W.: Students’ perceptions of characteristics of effective college teachers: a validity study of a teaching evaluation form using a mixed methods analysis. Am. Educ. Res. J. 44, 113–160 (2007). https://doi.org/10.3102/0002831206298169
Onwuegbuzie, A.J., Slate, J.R., Leech, N.L., Collins, K.M.T.: Mixed data analysis: advanced integration techniques. Int. J. Multiple Res. Approaches 3(1), 13–33 (2009). https://doi.org/10.5172/mra.455.3.1.13
Onwuegbuzie, A.J., Dickinson, W.B.: Mixed methods analysis and information visualization: Graphical display for effective communication of research results. The Qualitative Report, 13, 204–225 (2008). http://nsuworks.nova.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1595&context=tqr
Pahari, B.R.: Competency level of engineering graduates and quality of engineering education in Nepal. J. Inst. Eng. 7(1), 1–11 (2009). https://doi.org/10.3126/jie.v10i1.10872
Parajuli, M.N.: Rhetoric of developing technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in Nepal: analysis of the financing of the sub-sector. Tech. Vocat. Educ. Training Dev. J. 13(1), 58–68 (2013)
Parham, A.G., Noland, T.G., Kelly, J.A.: Accounting majors’ perceptions of future career skills: an exploratory analysis. Am. J. Bus. Educ. 5(1), 29–36 (2012)
Pavlin, S., Svetlik, I.: Employability of higher education graduates in Europe. Int. J. Manpow. 35(4), 418–424 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1108/IJM-05-2013-0104
Pinto, L.H., Ramalheira, D.C.: Perceived employability of business graduates: the effect of academic performance and extracurricular activities. J. Vocat. Behav. 99, 165–178 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2017.01.005
QAA: Making use of credit: a companion to the higher education credit framework for England. The UK quality assurance agency (2022)
Rothwell, A., Herbert, I., Rothwell, F.: Self-perceived employability: Construction and initial validation of a scale for university students. J. Vocat. Behav. 73(1), 1–12 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2007.12.001
Royal Academy of Engineering: Engineering graduates for industry (2010). http://raeng.org.uk/education/scet/pdf/Engineering_graduates_for_industry_report.pdf
Shakya, P.: Urban unemployment in Nepal with reference to engineering graduates of Kathmandu. J. Inst. Eng. 8(1), 301–310 (2011). https://doi.org/10.3126/jie.v8i1-2.5126
Sharma, T.N.: Technical education and vocational training roadmap. Presented in Conference road map of technical education and vocational training in Nepal, Center for International Education, Kathmandu Nepal (2015)
Stake, R.E.: Multiple Case Study Analysis. The Guilford Press, New York (2006)
Thang, M.V.P., Wongsurawat, W.: Enhancing the employability of IT graduates in Vietnam. Emerald Insight 6(2), 146–161 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1108/HESWBL-07-2015-0043
Tomlinson, M., Holmes, L. (eds.): Graduate employability in context (2017). https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-57168-7
Tymon, A.: The student perspective on employability. Stud. High. Educ. 38(6), 841–856 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2011.604408
Velasco, M.: More than just good grades: Candidates’ perceptions about the skills and attributes employers seek in new graduates. J. Bus. Econ. Manag. 3, 499–517 (2012). https://doi.org/10.3846/16111699.2011.620150
World Bank: Nepal development update: Investing in people to close the human capital gap (2019). http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/231411559761365601/pdf/Nepal-Development-Update-Investing-in-People-to-Close-the-Human-Capital-Gap.pdf
Yamane, T.: Statistics: An Introductory Analysis, 2nd edn. Harper and Row, New York (1967)
Yorke, M.: Employability in higher education: What it is—what it is not. Enhancing Student Employability Co-ordination Team (ESECT). London, England (2006) https://www.ed.ac.uk/files/atoms/files/hea-learning-employability_series_one.pdf
Funding
The authors have not got financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Competing interests
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Sharma, A., Bhattarai, P.C. & Onwuegbuzie, A.J. Quest of employability of engineering students: an explanatory sequential mixed methods research study. Qual Quant 57, 3991–4011 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-022-01547-x
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-022-01547-x