SAMZODHANA SAMZODHANA SAMZODHANA SAMZODHANA – Jour nal Jour nal Jour nal Jour nal of of of of Management Management Management Management “ Resear ch Resear ch Resear ch Resear ch ” I SSN I SSN I SSN I SSN 2347 2347 2347 2347- 4270 4270 4270 4270 Vol Vol Vol Vol 3 I ssue I ssue I ssue I ssue 1, 1, 1, 1, Oc t ober Oc t ober Oc t ober Oc t ober 2014 2014 2014 2014 www www www www eecmbaj our nal eecmbaj our nal eecmbaj our nal eecmbaj our nal i n i n i n i n . . 76 ALARMING EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS DEFICIENCY AMONG BUDDING ENGINEERING GRADUATES – A STUDY ON ENGINEERING GRADUATES IN CHITTOOR DISTRICT N. Hari Prasad Research scholar, Dept of Management Studies, JJ College of Arts and Science Dr. J. Parasuraman Research Guide, JJ College of Arts and Science (Autonomous), Pudukkottai Abstract Corporate culture welcomes and attracts numerous young just grown fresh engineering graduates to the word of multinational work culture and practices. In order to step into the international cultural practices young graduates completing engineering education has to be self-equipped with numerous skill sets that helps to attain and sustain employment opportunities provided by corporate giants. Various researches prove employer’s doors are exposed only to less than ten percent of fresh engineering students. Why? Students with engineering graduation alone are not being employed a quantity of skills extra and beyond degree is influencing employment activities I.e. employability skills. Ongoing research among engineering graduates helps to identify three major dimensions that leads and controls the development of employability skills. Three major dimensions include Student, Staff, and Government interventions. A mutual correlation and strict development and implementation of practicable technical and non-technical education that includes real time corporate exposure and on the job training activities that helps to develop employability skills can trim down the problem of unemployment among graduates. Present research has various variables under testing and implementation, one interesting fact is daily practice on necessary skills to attain desired employment can help a graduate to perform better in employer interview. To cuddle success of corporate employment one has to acquire knowledge on current requirements of corporate and perform the same in interviews. To develop knowledge a new program called STEP – Student Training and Empowerment Program has been designed with current research. In addition, relativity and interdependency among three dimensions are expected to be more influencing aspects in future research outcomes. Keywords: Students, Corporate, Government, Employability Skills, STEP.
Transcript
S A M Z O D H A N AS A M Z O D H A N AS A M Z O D H A N AS A M Z O D H A N A –––– J o u r n a lJ o u r n a lJ o u r n a lJ o u r n a l o fo fo fo f M a n a g e m e n tM a n a g e m e n tM a n a g e m e n tM a n a g e m e n t““““
R e s e a r c hR e s e a r c hR e s e a r c hR e s e a r c h ””””
I S S NI S S NI S S NI S S N 2347234723472347---- 4270427042704270
V o lV o lV o lV o l 3333 I s s u eI s s u eI s s u eI s s u e 1, 1, 1, 1, O c t o b e rO c t o b e rO c t o b e rO c t o b e r 2014 2014 2014 2014
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ALARMING EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS DEFICIENCY AMONG BUDDING ENGINEERING
GRADUATES – A STUDY ON ENGINEERING GRADUATES IN CHITTOOR DISTRICT
N. Hari Prasad
Research scholar, Dept of Management Studies, JJ College of Arts and Science
Dr. J. Parasuraman
Research Guide, JJ College of Arts and Science (Autonomous), Pudukkottai
Abstract
Corporate culture welcomes and attracts numerous young just grown fresh engineering
graduates to the word of multinational work culture and practices. In order to step into the
international cultural practices young graduates completing engineering education has to be
self-equipped with numerous skill sets that helps to attain and sustain employment
opportunities provided by corporate giants. Various researches prove employer’s doors are
exposed only to less than ten percent of fresh engineering students. Why? Students with
engineering graduation alone are not being employed a quantity of skills extra and beyond
degree is influencing employment activities I.e. employability skills. Ongoing research among
engineering graduates helps to identify three major dimensions that leads and controls the
development of employability skills. Three major dimensions include Student, Staff, and
Government interventions. A mutual correlation and strict development and implementation of
practicable technical and non-technical education that includes real time corporate exposure
and on the job training activities that helps to develop employability skills can trim down the
problem of unemployment among graduates. Present research has various variables under
testing and implementation, one interesting fact is daily practice on necessary skills to attain
desired employment can help a graduate to perform better in employer interview. To cuddle
success of corporate employment one has to acquire knowledge on current requirements of
corporate and perform the same in interviews. To develop knowledge a new program called
STEP – Student Training and Empowerment Program has been designed with current research.
In addition, relativity and interdependency among three dimensions are expected to be more
S A M Z O D H A N AS A M Z O D H A N AS A M Z O D H A N AS A M Z O D H A N A –––– J o u r n a lJ o u r n a lJ o u r n a lJ o u r n a l o fo fo fo f M a n a g e m e n tM a n a g e m e n tM a n a g e m e n tM a n a g e m e n t““““
R e s e a r c hR e s e a r c hR e s e a r c hR e s e a r c h ””””
I S S NI S S NI S S NI S S N 2347234723472347---- 4270427042704270
V o lV o lV o lV o l 3333 I s s u eI s s u eI s s u eI s s u e 1, 1, 1, 1, O c t o b e rO c t o b e rO c t o b e rO c t o b e r 2014 2014 2014 2014
w w ww w ww w ww w w e e c m b a j o u r n a le e c m b a j o u r n a le e c m b a j o u r n a le e c m b a j o u r n a l i ni ni ni n.... .... 77
Introduction
The engineering graduate outcome is more in number every year in India, students with graduation
degree lack employability skills which is very essential to enter the world of corporate. Corporate
companies have initiated various programs to enrich the essential skill set among budding graduates in
spite of various corporate programs, students still lack basic and essential skill sets. To full fill the
demand and supply gap of skilled personnel, government has introduced technical skill development
programs. Intense support has been provided by academicians in and around the educational institution
to develop employability skills among budding engineering graduates. To lucid skill set deficiency and
demand, supply gap Student Training and Empowerment Program – ‘STEP’ has been initiated in current
research. STEP helps academicians to evaluate and train deficient skills among budding graduates.
Budding graduates have to be practically trained by academicians and corporate to develop a
prospective workforce for future young India.
Review of literature
1) It is a pathetic situation that people are still in the dark regarding the boundary of Soft skills. The
online encyclopedia “Wikipedia” gives a very broad definition of Soft skills, which leaves much room for
discussion: “Soft skills refer to the cluster of personality traits, social graces, and facility with language,
personal habits, friendliness, and optimism that mark people to varying degrees. Soft skills complement
hard skills, which are the technical requirements of a job.” (Wikipedia, 2007) [1]
1. Common Sense 2. Good attitude 3. Communication skills
4. Group Discussion 5. Etiquette & Manners. 6. Body Language
25. Problem Solving Ability 26. Public Relations 27. Willingness to learn
28. Time Management 29. Prioritizing Tasks. 30. Performance Excellence
S A M Z O D H A N AS A M Z O D H A N AS A M Z O D H A N AS A M Z O D H A N A –––– J o u r n a lJ o u r n a lJ o u r n a lJ o u r n a l o fo fo fo f M a n a g e m e n tM a n a g e m e n tM a n a g e m e n tM a n a g e m e n t““““
R e s e a r c hR e s e a r c hR e s e a r c hR e s e a r c h ””””
I S S NI S S NI S S NI S S N 2347234723472347---- 4270427042704270
V o lV o lV o lV o l 3333 I s s u eI s s u eI s s u eI s s u e 1, 1, 1, 1, O c t o b e rO c t o b e rO c t o b e rO c t o b e r 2014 2014 2014 2014
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31. Commitment 32. Ability to meet
deadlines
33. Listening Skills
34. Judgment 35. Leadership skills 36. Decision Making
43. Personal energy 44. Personal hygiene 45. Intellectual Ability
46. Sociability 47. Empathy 48. Business management
49. Negotiating skills 50. Cultural awareness
2) According to Dr. B. Samrajya Lakshmi on Activity Based English Language Teaching in Technical
University Affiliated Colleges
Teacher and Learner Reactions
In terms of the first research question, which asked how the teachers and learners reacted to the task-
based course, analysis of the data revealed that their impressions centred on three themes: (a)
increased learner independence, (b) concerns with the course content, and (c) perceptions about real
world relevance. The following sections present the findings related to each theme.
Increased Learner Independence
Teachers and learners believed that the task-based course helped the learners to become more
independent thinkers and learners. The learners reported that the teaching approach gave them an
opportunity to think by themselves to accomplish the tasks and manage their learning. The following
comments from the students help reinforcing the above said statement:
• Solved problems by thinking independently
• Felt interesting as the tasks had given them a chance to think
• taking pride in their accomplishments
• being more responsible
• remembering what they had learned
• gaining self-confidence
• feeling more curious about learning
• realized the need for independent thinking
• helped the student to realize what exactly he needs to learn
S A M Z O D H A N AS A M Z O D H A N AS A M Z O D H A N AS A M Z O D H A N A –––– J o u r n a lJ o u r n a lJ o u r n a lJ o u r n a l o fo fo fo f M a n a g e m e n tM a n a g e m e n tM a n a g e m e n tM a n a g e m e n t““““
R e s e a r c hR e s e a r c hR e s e a r c hR e s e a r c h ””””
I S S NI S S NI S S NI S S N 2347234723472347---- 4270427042704270
V o lV o lV o lV o l 3333 I s s u eI s s u eI s s u eI s s u e 1, 1, 1, 1, O c t o b e rO c t o b e rO c t o b e rO c t o b e r 2014 2014 2014 2014
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• helped learners utilize the knowledge gained
These recommendations help to build a basic skill set among rural engineering graduates. [2]
3) According to N. Hari Prasad (2014) – “Antecedents of Engineering Students Basic Employability skills
Training with Special Reference to Chittoor District” on iJARS, the following finding that helps an
individual to acquire employment in challenging corporate world. CPT (Campus Placement, Training),
CRT (Campus Readiness Training), BEST (Basic Employability Skill Training) are the three key secrets to
getting trained by an individual prepared to step into the world of corporate culture. Research suggests
CPT that incorporated with training on internet techniques, office suit skills, typing ability, awareness on
privacy, safety, and security issues, basics of hardware and troubleshooting. CRT on job readiness skills
helps to crack written and personnel rounds of the interview process. Evaluation and analysis of skill set
acquired during this process can be judged and evaluated by using Blooms Taxonomy Hierarchy. [3]
4) Developing a high calibre talent pool of over 3 Million People
A talent shortage is the single-largest potential impediment to the industry’s growth. However, if
addressed it can give rise to India’s biggest strength – offering the world the largest pool of working age
and trained manpower. The government should make it top- most priority to improve the quality and
scale of tertiary education with support from NASSCOM. [4]
India’s Opportunity at Risk
The industry in India could face an employee shortage of up to 3.5 million. Employability of graduates is
low (e.g., 10 to 15 percent of graduates for business services, 26 by engineers for technology services).
[6] “According to NASSCOM Report – PERSPECTIVE 2020 a major Skill Set Gap can be Identified as
above” [4]
Research Gap
Reviews and empirical studies have served to identify a major gap between need and provision of
prospective skilled work force expected by corporate. Skills incorporated by budding graduates are in
deficit quality and quantity. To fulfill the needs and requirements according to present global business
market young engineers have to consider learning and identifying employability skills as part of their
education life. Research gap has also included identifying future skill set dimensions to be learnt by
budding graduates. Implementation and outcomes of STEP program have been incorporated in the
present research study. CTEEP helps as background for framing and implementing of the STEP program.
S A M Z O D H A N AS A M Z O D H A N AS A M Z O D H A N AS A M Z O D H A N A –––– J o u r n a lJ o u r n a lJ o u r n a lJ o u r n a l o fo fo fo f M a n a g e m e n tM a n a g e m e n tM a n a g e m e n tM a n a g e m e n t““““
R e s e a r c hR e s e a r c hR e s e a r c hR e s e a r c h ””””
I S S NI S S NI S S NI S S N 2347234723472347---- 4270427042704270
V o lV o lV o lV o l 3333 I s s u eI s s u eI s s u eI s s u e 1, 1, 1, 1, O c t o b e rO c t o b e rO c t o b e rO c t o b e r 2014 2014 2014 2014
w w ww w ww w ww w w e e c m b a j o u r n a le e c m b a j o u r n a le e c m b a j o u r n a le e c m b a j o u r n a l i ni ni ni n.... .... 80
Theoretical Background
CTEEP: Corporate Training and Employability skill Empowerment Program
Reliability Analysis
The process of identifying maintenance of significant items and classifying them with respect to
malfunction on safety, environmental, operational, and economic consequences. The possible failure
mode of an item is identified and an appropriate maintenance policy is assigned to counter it. Support
methods include failure mode, effect, and criticality analysis (FMECA), fault tree analysis (FTA), risk
analysis, and hazardous operations (HAZOP) analysis. By following these analyses while implementing
new techniques like STEP: Students Training and Empowerment Program CTEEP: Corporate Training and
Employability skill Empowerment Program results in acquiring optimum results by developing essential
skills among budding graduates.
Methodology
Objective
The primary objective of research is to identify the employability skills among aspiring engineering
graduates. Highly focused and feasible questionnaire, which covers nine different dimensions, has been
incorporated to evaluate the skill set of an engineering graduate. In addition, four dimensions have been
covered from academicians to extract opinion poll (Appendix).
Student
Student
Academicians
Corporate
� STEP - (Staff Training & Empowerment Program)
� OJT – (On The Job Trainings)
� Apprenticeship at Corporate Locations
� Corporate Training & Development
� BEST - (Basic Employability skill Training)
� Knowledge Sharing & IQ Development
� Trial & Error basis - Practical Practices
� Self Evaluation & Development B
E
S
T
Employe
S A M Z O D H A N AS A M Z O D H A N AS A M Z O D H A N AS A M Z O D H A N A –––– J o u r n a lJ o u r n a lJ o u r n a lJ o u r n a l o fo fo fo f M a n a g e m e n tM a n a g e m e n tM a n a g e m e n tM a n a g e m e n t““““
R e s e a r c hR e s e a r c hR e s e a r c hR e s e a r c h ””””
I S S NI S S NI S S NI S S N 2347234723472347---- 4270427042704270
V o lV o lV o lV o l 3333 I s s u eI s s u eI s s u eI s s u e 1, 1, 1, 1, O c t o b e rO c t o b e rO c t o b e rO c t o b e r 2014 2014 2014 2014
w w ww w ww w ww w w e e c m b a j o u r n a le e c m b a j o u r n a le e c m b a j o u r n a le e c m b a j o u r n a l i ni ni ni n.... .... 81
The Secondary objective of research is to identify and evaluate CTEEP: Corporate Training and
Employability skill Empowerment Program and STEP: Student Training and Empowerment Program.
Hypothesis
Ho: Students are well equipped with essential Employability Skills.
H1: Students are Not well equipped with essential Employability Skills.
Data and Sample
Primary Data will be collected from aspiring engineering students from various regions of Chittoor
District. Secondary Data will be collected from academicians who act as the back bone in developing
employability skill among graduates.
Measurements
Primary and secondary data collected from respondents will be divided into independent variables and
dependent variables. These independent variables are conceptualised by using a set of 5-point Likert
Scale statements to measure the respondent’s skill sets. Both the variables are supported by an
assortment of skills required for enhancing employability. All the essential employability skills were
identified and proposed under various heads called dimensions. The researcher has made accurate use
of concepts and be sensible and precisely described as per the objectives framed for research activity.
Statistical Tools
In Key Aspects of research data analysis and interpretation areas researcher has concentrated more to
avoid errors, and maintained accuracy. Statistical Tests act as the life blood of research which flows over
all the research activities and helps to produce accurate outputs. Various statistical tools has been
proposed to analyse the data I, e form simple statistical tools to key and complex tools are used as per
requirements to make data most accurate for results. Correlation, regression, ANOVA, Percentage
Analysis, 2 side tests, Factor analysis, Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyse
and interpret the data.
Respondents
Aspiring engineering graduates in Chittoor district are targeted respondents. To identify the skill sets
quotient of the graduates multi dimension questionnaire had been used.
Results and Discussions
S A M Z O D H A N AS A M Z O D H A N AS A M Z O D H A N AS A M Z O D H A N A –––– J o u r n a lJ o u r n a lJ o u r n a lJ o u r n a l o fo fo fo f M a n a g e m e n tM a n a g e m e n tM a n a g e m e n tM a n a g e m e n t““““
R e s e a r c hR e s e a r c hR e s e a r c hR e s e a r c h ””””
I S S NI S S NI S S NI S S N 2347234723472347---- 4270427042704270
V o lV o lV o lV o l 3333 I s s u eI s s u eI s s u eI s s u e 1, 1, 1, 1, O c t o b e rO c t o b e rO c t o b e rO c t o b e r 2014 2014 2014 2014
w w ww w ww w ww w w e e c m b a j o u r n a le e c m b a j o u r n a le e c m b a j o u r n a le e c m b a j o u r n a l i ni ni ni n.... .... 82
As result of this empirical study STEP: Student Training and Empowerment Program has been designed
as output to develop desired employability skills among rural engineering students
STEP: Student Training and Empowerment Program
Evaluation and analysis of skill set acquired during practical practice of STEP process can be judged and
evaluated by using Blooms Taxonomy Hierarchy.
Analysis
STEP: Student Training and Empowerment Program is an advancement of CTEEP. In the first level
involvement of students, academicians, and government to develop skill set among budding graduates
continues by student evaluation and followed by student empowerment program (STEP) which results in
producing qualitative and skilled graduates with empowered employability skills.
Model (New Proposed Model)
STEP: Student Training and Empowerment Program seems to be simple but in real time practical
practice, participant’s SWOT analysis is recommended before implementation of this imperative
technique.
Findings & Suggestions
• Student by self should feel responsible in fulfilling skill set gap
• Learner readiness to accept New learning’s and Transform it as Results
• Budding graduates are in need of Continuous internal and external Motivation
• Resistance to change is a common problem among various budding graduates.
Analyzing Students
Strengths & Skill Set
Segregating Students as
per Skill Sets & Desired
Jobs
‘CTEEP’
Corporate Training and
Employability skill
Empowerment Program
Enhanced
Employability Skills
Output
STEP
S A M Z O D H A N AS A M Z O D H A N AS A M Z O D H A N AS A M Z O D H A N A –––– J o u r n a lJ o u r n a lJ o u r n a lJ o u r n a l o fo fo fo f M a n a g e m e n tM a n a g e m e n tM a n a g e m e n tM a n a g e m e n t““““
R e s e a r c hR e s e a r c hR e s e a r c hR e s e a r c h ””””
I S S NI S S NI S S NI S S N 2347234723472347---- 4270427042704270
V o lV o lV o lV o l 3333 I s s u eI s s u eI s s u eI s s u e 1, 1, 1, 1, O c t o b e rO c t o b e rO c t o b e rO c t o b e r 2014 2014 2014 2014
w w ww w ww w ww w w e e c m b a j o u r n a le e c m b a j o u r n a le e c m b a j o u r n a le e c m b a j o u r n a l i ni ni ni n.... .... 83
• Peer Group Impact and Personal experiences plays key role in developing skills.
• Focus group discussions and professional networking can help to attain quick employment.
• Continuous interview attempts and answering updated questioners related to technical aspects
helps to attain and sustain corporate employment.
Scope for further research
Practical implementation and application of statistical tools on various dimensions discussed in STEP and
CTEEP helps to enter deeper layers of skill set quotient among graduates. Collecting opinion poll on skill
set development from academicians using a four dimensional questionnaire.
Conclusions
Obtaining employment in corporate world rings wingding bells. To attain employment development and
up gradation of employability skills as per needs and requirements of corporate is basic discipline to be
incorporated by budding graduate community.
References
1. P V Dharmarajan, 2.Rajkumar Pachigalla, 3.Koundinya Lanka – “ The Significance of Inculcating
Soft Skills in Students in the Process of Teaching Hard Skills “,International Journal of Applied
Research and Studies (iJARS), Vol 1, issue 2, Sep-Nov -2012/209, p.01 - p11.
2. Dr. B. Samrajya Lakshmi – “ Activity Based English Language Teaching in Technical University
Affiliated Colleges “,International Journal of Applied Research and Studies (iJARS), Vol 1, issue 2,
Sep-Nov -2012/217, p.01 - p10.
3. N. Hari Prasad (2014) – “Antecedents of Engineering Students Basic Employability skills Training
with Special Reference to Chittoor District”, International Journal of Applied Research and
