Enhancing Graduate Job Stability through Employability Skills: A Study of Selected Universities in South-West, Nigeria
Job stability is essential for graduates as it affects their financial security, career advancement, and overall well-being. Despite various initiatives, such as improved career services, internship programs, and collaborations between universities and industries aimed at enhancing job stability, the results have not always been favorable. This is reflected in a significant decline in job stability among graduates, highlighting the need to explore the connection between employability skills and job stability. This study investigated the influence of employability skills on employee income levels in selected universities in South-West Nigeria. The research adopted a survey design, focusing on a population of 64,171 graduates from six universities in South-West Nigeria. A sample size of 497 was determined using the Research Advisor’s sample size table, with participants selected through simple random sampling. Data collection involved a structured and validated questionnaire, which yielded Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficients for the constructs between 0.73 and 0.84. The study recorded a response rate of 93.2%. Data analysis involved descriptive and inferential statistics, including multiple linear and hierarchical regression, at a 5% significance level. The study found that employability skills have significant effect on job stability (Adj.R2 = 0.173, F(5, 462) = 20.341, p = 0.001) in selected universities in South-West Nigeria. The study concluded that employability skills influenced job stability in selected universities in South-West Nigeria. Therefore, it is recommended that to enhance job stability for graduates, universities in South-West Nigeria prioritize the integration of employability skills into their academic programs through practical training modules, such as internships, industry-led workshops, and simulation-based learning. Additionally, regular curriculum reviews informed by labor market trends and employer feedback should be institutionalized to keep training relevant.
Keywords: Adaptability skills, Communication skills, Employability skills, Job stability, Problem-solving skills
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