SECRETARIAL BUSINESS EDUCATION AND EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS AMONG BUSINESS EDUCATION GRADUATES
Keywords:
Career readiness, employability skills, secretarial business education, digital literacy skill, communication skill, problem-solving skill, teamwork skill.Abstract
This study investigated the interplay between secretarial business education and employability skills among business education graduates. Employing a quantitative survey research design, the study sampled 150 postgraduate Business Education students from Olabisi Onabanjo University and Tai Solarin University of Education, using a stratified random sampling technique to ensure adequate representation of respondents. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire, named career readiness competencies, designed by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), covering key employability skills such as communication, problem-solving, digital literacy, and teamwork. The findings reveal that secretarial business education significantly foster employability skills, with a strong positive correlation (r = 0.682, p < .05). Specifically, graduates with secretarial business education experience demonstrated higher proficiency in digital literacy skill (M = 3.89, SD = 0.79) and communication skill (M = 3.76, SD = 0.84), compared to those without such experience. Based on these findings, the study recommends, among others, that Business Education curricula incorporate secretarial business education and training to develop critical employability skills. Additionally, institutions should expand practical internship programmes and mentorship opportunities to further enhance career readiness. These measures will better equip graduates for the evolving demands of the job market, ultimately increasing their employability and career success.
References
Abston, K. A., & Soter, H. A. (2023). A professionalism conundrum: Development of business students’ career readiness. Development in Business Simulation & Experiential Learning, 47, 266–271.
Adeleke, A. B., & Ojewale, J. A. (2023). Effects of entrepreneurial training on career development among youths in Oyo State, Nigeria. International Journal of Entrepreneurship, Leadership, and Innovation in Commerce and Technology (IJELICT), 2(1), 108–122.
Azih, N., & Ejeka, C. A. (2015). A critical analysis of the National Board for Technical Education old and new curriculum in office technology and management for sustainable development. British Journal of Education, 3(9), 41–50.
Ayatse, F. A. (2021). Driving entrepreneurship education in Nigeria: Issues and challenges. International Journal of Business and Management Review, 1(4), 83–90.
Dosunmu, M. M., Bukki, A. O., & Akintola, O. A. (2017). Influence of office automation on secretaries’ administrative effectiveness in Ogun State-owned universities. Journal of Research and Methods in Education, 7(3), 49–52.
Ezechukwu, L. C., Okanazu, O. O., Babalulu, B. M., Arowolo, A. A., & Olelewe, C. J. (2021). Career readiness of graduating office technology and management students in polytechnics in Southeast Nigeria. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 20(2), 290–303.
Gyansah, S. T., & Guantai, H. K. (2022). Career development in organizations: Placing the organization and employee on the same pedestal to enhance maximum productivity. European Journal of Business and Management, 14(10), 40–45.
Haase, W. R., & Lautenschlager, W. X. (2022). Philosophies of enterprise and entrepreneurship education and challenges for higher education in the UK. The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, 6, 105–114.
Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and development. Prentice Hall.
Lent, R. W., Brown, S. D., & Hackett, G. (1994). Toward a unifying social cognitive theory of career and academic interest, choice, and performance. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 45(1), 79–122.
Musa, F., & Reshi, A. M. (2024). Career readiness among vocational graduates: Implication of competency-based learning. The Journal of Social Sciences Research, 6(6), 633–638.
National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). (2021). Career readiness defined. Retrieved from https://www.naceweb.org
Oboreh, J. C., & Nnebe, E. G. (2019). Entrepreneurship education and skill acquisition of graduates in public universities in South-East Nigeria. International Journal of Business and Law Research, 7(4), 84–97.
Villares, E., & Brigman, G. (2024). College/career success skills: Helping students experience postsecondary success. Professional School Counseling, 22, 1–8.
