Abstract

Effectively matching the skills of students preferred by employers has been a constant challenge for universities and colleges. This study aimed to determine the employability skills preferred by the employers of the graduates of the College of Business Management and Accountancy. Sixty-five managers and supervisors were surveyed using a structured questionnaire that measures their level of preference for employability skills. The skills considered were analytical, technology, communication, interpersonal, problem-solving, management skills, formal accounting qualification, leadership, capacity for innovation and organization, and commercial awareness. The results of the study showed that the skills more preferred by the employers are leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. Conversely, the least preferred by the employers were found to be formal accounting qualification, technology skills, and capacity for innovation. The study also established that there are differences in preferences by types of business in terms of communication skill, interpersonal skills and program in which the student graduated from as to management skills, organizational and commercial awareness with a significant level of 0.01. The different factors affecting the acquisition of each employability skill based on the employers’ preference may be considered for future directions.

Keywords: preferences, employability skills, leadership, communication, interpersonal, management