The role of work integrated e-learning in enhancing the employability of human resource management graduates in South African Universities

Abstract

Background and Aim: Work-integrated e-Learning has become an important topic of discussion in South African Higher Learning Institutions. With the rapid unemployment rate, graduate skills development is needed to close the gap of unemployment. Higher Education Institutions are faced with the responsibility of producing quality students with relevant knowledge on current affairs and talented individuals. For the employers, it has become more difficult to attract and retain highly qualified, skilled and talented employees. As a result there is a great need for higher education institutions (HEIs) to develop approaches to address the issue of graduate employability skills. The main aim of this study is to investigate the role which eWIL plays in enhancing graduate employability of graduates in South African Universities. Method: A qualitative research approach was followed with data collected from Academics in Higher Educational Institutions (N=4) and part-time Graduates studying through HEI (N=3). A thematic analysis was used to analyse the collected data. Results: The research findings indicated that graduate employability is significantly dependent on the soft and technical skills required in the workplace and that the university does provide some of the skills as part of its eWIL programmes. The following specific results were obtained: • The results showed that in general all the participants perceived that the higher education institutions are responsible for enhancing graduate employability. • The findings indicated that the skills which graduate perceive to be the most important are similar to those of academics especially skills such as computer skills, communication, interpersonal skill and the ability to solve problems. The findings reflected a significant gap between current soft skills training and the desirable soft skills • Based on the study findings, the graduates agreed that they are well equipped with regards to one common technical skill (computer literacy) which they gained throughout their studies as open and distance learners. • The respondent's results from chapter 5 indicated that there is a great need for HEis to provide a curriculum relevant to Human Resource Management that will help graduates to be prepared for the workplace • Based on the study findings from chapter 5, the results showed a high need for e WIL programme to be part of the undergraduate student's curriculum. Practice Relevance: Studies in the related field of graduate employability skills have been previously conducted by different researchers globally. Most studies have been done on Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) and e-Learning. There are however limited studies which have been done on both concepts. Since the study focuses on open and distant learners, e WIL is more appropriate method of leaning due to the lack of face-to-face communication. The study attempts to identify if Higher Education Institutions provide graduates with the necessary soft and technical skills required to enhance their employability and the role which e WIL plays. This study adds to the literature where the benefits of conducting it can be knowledgeable by students, HEis, employers and the country in general through determining what skills are required for being employable.