A Study to Assess Soft Skills of Engineering Graduates in Ernakulam District, Kerala

Abstract

Soft skills has become a buzz word in the corporate world. Soft skills is greatly regarded by top-notch multinational companies in hiring of employees around the world. This has indeed , raised the bar for candidates to horn their soft skills alongside academics for a successful career. A survey by Federation of India commerce and industry revealed 70 percentage of employees lacked soft skills (1) and 97 percentage of engineering candidates lacked communication skills. (7) Statically, speaking candidates lacked employability skills. The study is primarily focused on engineering graduate (final year) to assess their soft skills competency. Engineering colleges in Ernakulam district were selected as sample for the basis of study .The data were collected through survey questionnaire and workshops. Questionnaire comprise of verbal and non-verbal communication skills ,decision making skills, team work, responsibility, problem solving skills and willingness to learn. The research helped in Indenification of soft skills gap (employability skills) among engineering students and at same time to train students to increase their soft skills competence.