Graduate Employability and Communication Competence: Are Undergraduates Taught Relevant Skills?

Trish L. Clokie ; Elna Fourie Waikato Institute of Technology

Abstract

This research establishes the role of communication education in employability by determining how employers of graduates view communication, identifying communication skills that employers view as relevant, and establishing whether these skills are included in communication courses. To achieve these aims, local businesses were surveyed, and the results were compared with communication course descriptors. The research shows, consistent with worldwide trends, that local employers value communication competencies highly when recruiting new graduates, and specific communication skills required in an industry reflect course content. However, some skills are still lacking, and the research questions where the responsibility lies in developing these skills.

Journal
Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
Published
2016-12-01
DOI
10.1177/2329490616657635
CompPile
Open Access
Closed
Topics
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Citation context

Cited by in this index (21)

  1. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
  2. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
  3. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
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  2. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
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  4. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
  5. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
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  12. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
  13. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
  14. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
  15. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  16. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly

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