Skill Gaps and Employability: Higher Education in India

Unni, Jeemol

doi:10.1177/2455133315612310

Cited by 32 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…As per the report, the employability index shows a small rise to 38.12 per cent over the last year’s 37.22 per cent. The Prime Minister’s Council for Skill Development has set a “target of 500 million skilled workers by 2022” (Unni, 2016). The hiring of people by employers should also improve substantially by 14 per cent in the short term (India Skills Report, 2016).…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the road to consensus: key soft skills required for youth employment in the service sector

Singh¹,

Jaykumar²

2019

WHATT

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Purpose Tourism and hospitality is one of the fastest growing segments of the services industry in India, and there is tremendous need and opportunity for young, educated and qualified professionals. Academics and employers agree that there is an increasing gap between the soft skills that companies expect from their entry-level employees and the skills that these young people possess. To bridge this gap, industry leaders and researchers indicate the need for more soft skills training. The purpose of this paper is to identify soft skills competencies that are required for a diverse group of entry-level employees and then to identify gaps by exploring the hospitality programme and internships. Design/methodology/approach The research is analytical in nature and draws on a literature review and a questionnaire as a survey tool for stakeholders. The research had separate questionnaires for employers, students and faculty members of the Vedatya Institute, educator for the service industry. The research is focused on entry-level employees – students who had graduated from Vedatya Institute in the past five years. The employers are primarily general managers and human resource managers of five-star hotels who have recruited and been part of campus interviews. Findings The research analysed soft or employability skills for the hospitality industry, and it provided valuable insights from employers and perceptions of graduates in attainment of those skills during their degree programme. The study highlighted the significant role of internship in developing soft skills. Practical implications The paper recommends practical solutions for educators and organizations that can be applied. The research synthesized current thinking on required soft skills for young entry-level employees and explores the soft skills gap in the context of a growing soft skills training market with recommendation for stakeholders. Originality/value The research sought to address the real life problem impacting the hospitality industry in India using inputs from the literature, graduates and employers.

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Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the road to consensus: key soft skills required for youth employment in the service sector

Singh¹,

Jaykumar²

2019

WHATT

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“…All South Asian economies are facing significant challenges of skills gaps, which need to be overcome to support technological transformation (ADB, 2017). The challenges of skills gaps are diverse due to vastly distinct stages of development, policy objectives and institutional capacities (Unni, 2016). The quality of basic education to equip the school-leavers with strong competency in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) skills is low to support a knowledge-based economy and economic transformation (Tan, 2018).…”

Section: Challenges Of Skills Gaps In South Asiamentioning

confidence: 99%

Technological Disruptions, Youth Unemployment and Vocational Education Challenges in South Asia: A Short Report

Sudan

2021

GES

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The main objectives of the study have been to analyze the situation of youth unemployment and employment in South Asia, challenges of skills gaps and job opportunities for youth in the context of technological changes, and draw policy implications to address youth employment challenges by reorienting the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) to leverage youth employment potential in changing demographic-economic-technological dynamics of South Asia. The study has drawn the secondary data from the two major databases of the International Labour Organization and the World Bank. Data triangulation method has been used to the relevant data and the short-listed data has been analyzed through simple descriptive statistics and deductive content analysis to evaluate the data more comprehensively and scientifically. Theoretical triangulation method has been used to support the conclusions drawn from the findings and to lower the threat of wrong interpretation of research outcomes by a deeper and broader analysis. In the South Asian region, youth unemployment rate (YUR) has been estimated at 18.8% in 2020, which is projected to increase to 18.9% in 2021. High youth unemployment levels in South Asia have been due to a lack of appropriate skills through the TVET than the lack of jobs. In South Asian countries, skills for work have been largely provided at secondary and tertiary levels through TVET programs besides non-formal training programs in public and private institutions, including employers, but still, the skills mismatches are huge in the context of new technological changes and innovations. Therefore, robust policy actions are needed to address the skills gaps and meet the youth employment challenges by reorienting TVET programs to ensure that the skills taught in TVET are demanded and valued in the labor market.

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“…In India, there is a lot of evidence showing the unemployment scenario for techno-graduates is due to their deprived employability skills (Blom and Saeki, 2011). Unni (2016), referring to the Indian scenario, believed that there is no problem with demand and supply of techno-graduates as far as the quantity aspect is concerned, however, the situation is attributed due to the employability skill gap. Several employability skills are expected from techno-graduate students, the majority are related to soft skills and interpersonal skills (Finch et al, 2013;Wickramasinghe and Perera, 2010).…”

Section: Service Output Elementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Service marketing mix as input and output of higher and technical education

Mahajan

Golahit²

2019

JARHE

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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships of service marketing mix (SMM) as service input and service output in terms of students’ performance, satisfaction and referral act in context to higher and technical education (HTE) through the application of structural equation modeling. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative research, conducted through a self-administered survey composed by a closed-ended structured questionnaire, was incorporated for the students who were enrolled in the technical educational institutions situated in the Khandesh region of India. Findings The findings of this study revealed that traditional SMM is statistically linked with the performance of students in terms of skill and knowledge enhancement, satisfaction and referral act of students, which are perceptible new emerging SMM; performance, pleasure and pointing out in terms of service output. Practical implications Integrating SMM as service input and service output are productive for HTE in enhancing growth (quantitatively) by the inclusivity of diversified students and development (qualitatively) by enhancing their performance for global standing, making them satisfied and motivating them for recommending their institution to others. This integration can be utilized as a yardstick by the institutions for staying ahead in students’ market with a distinctive competitive advantage. Social implications Growth and development of HTE will raise a society’s quality of life and thereby increase a country’s socio-economic status. Originality/value The study has exhibited SMM as input and output of a service system that is useful for the growth and development of HTE. The measurement tool presented is effective in (re)framing policies on SMM as service input based on desired service output.

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Skill Gaps and Employability: Higher Education in India

Cited by 32 publications

References 7 publications

On the road to consensus: key soft skills required for youth employment in the service sector

On the road to consensus: key soft skills required for youth employment in the service sector

Technological Disruptions, Youth Unemployment and Vocational Education Challenges in South Asia: A Short Report

Service marketing mix as input and output of higher and technical education

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