ASSESSMENT OF PERCEIVED EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS AMONG POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS IN NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined the perceived employability skills among postgraduate students at the National Open University of Nigeria needed for sustainable development.  A survey research design which was guided by five research questions was adopted for the study. The study population comprised of all postgraduate students in the Faculty of Education, with a sample of 306 active students registered for two compulsory courses at the postgraduate diploma and master’s levels during the 2022_1 semester. A structured survey questionnaire, adapted from Tangaro-Delelis (2018), was administered via Google Forms during online facilitation sessions. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA with SPSS. Results revealed that NOUN postgraduate students possessed a high level of employability skills, with no significant gender disparity except in fundamental skills. The researcher concluded that effectively deployed Open and Distance Learning (ODL) institutions instructional facilitate and strategies paved way for the students’ acquisition of the needed employability skills. Hence, adoption of Open Distance Learning (ODL) is strongly recommended for countries yet to do so to provide opportunities not only for education of her citizenry. But, for graduates’ acquisition of employability skills for sustainable development