Demographic characteristics and employability skills among tertiary graduates in Ghana : evidence from the National Service Scheme

This study examined the effect of demographic characteristics on graduates' perceptions of employability skills in Ghana. Three demographic characteristics-gender, educational level and sector of national service were used against nine employability skills. The explanatory sequential design from the pragmatists' philosophical paradigm was adopted for the study. A sample of 2269 national service persons and 363 employers at workplaces where graduates had their national service was drawn from a study population of 77,962. Thirty participants, including 17 graduates and 13 employers, were also interviewed. Data were collected with the help of a questionnaire and a semi-structured interview guide. Data were analysed with descriptive and inferential statistics such as means, standard deviations, Pearson correlation matrix and independent sample t-test. The study found three most important employability skills to employers: the ability to work under pressure with less supervision, the application of computer and technical skills, and processing and interpreting numerical data. A novel finding of the study was that gender and academic qualification were found to have significantly influenced the application of computer and technical skills, numerical data, ability to work under pressure, and entrepreneurial skills. Male graduates had more appreciation for mathematical and information and communication technology (ICT)-related employability skills, while female graduates had a more positive inclination towards emotional intelligence skills and written and verbal communication skills. It was recommended that more attention be given to a partnership between academic institutions, the national service secretariat and the industry to avoid a mismatch between employability skills acquired by graduates and employers' requirements. The findings of this study, therefore, have implications for teaching pedagogies at tertiary levels and training for job entrants by industry.