The Role of Technical and Non-Technical Skills on Employability and Job Progression of Egerton University Graduates of 2009-2019

Abstract

Technical and non-technical skills are key in helping university graduates to secure salaried employment, self-employment and progression. Graduate Tracer Study (GTS) conducted at Egerton University in the faculties of Agriculture (FOA) and Education and Community Studies (FEDCOS) aimed at finding out the role of technical and non-technical skills in employability and progression of Egerton university graduates. The study was carried using a questionnaire which was administered online via Google forms evaluation link. Quantitative data from students who graduated between 2009 and 2019 was targeted. Over 1,200 graduates responded to the questionnaire. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze the data. descriptive statistics. The findings showed that 864 of the respondents were in salaried employment, 116 were in self-employment and 297 were unemployed. Among the technical skills, technical knowledge played major role in securing salaried employment and promotion with of aggregate score 94.8% and 97.4% respectively for graduates. Information Technology (IT) skills was also reported to be of major importance for promotion of graduates. Major non-technical skills considered important for salaried employment included communication skills, teamwork and creativity/creative thinking at 99.2%, 97.7% and 97.1% respectively. Ability to work under minimal supervision (99.0%), creativity/creative thinking and leadership skills with 98.5% respectively played major role in promotion of graduates. Entrepreneurial skills (94.8%) and technical knowledge (94.8%) were highly rated among technical skills.  Ability to work independently, creativity/creative thinking and communication skills were important in self-employment all with a score of 99.1%. Overall, technical and non-technical skills have a great impact on graduates’ employability, promotion and self-employment.