Disciplinary differences in the development of employability skills of recent university graduates in Manitoba: some initial findings

Because of the changing nature of work and move towards a knowledge-based economy, the task placed on post-secondary education institutions in keeping up with developing general employability skills and preparing graduates for work has been increasingly difficult and challenging. Despite the recent concerns by employers about the lack of preparedness of recent graduates and entry-level workers, it is worth noting that university graduates from a variety of academic disciplines have reported a wide range of employability skills either developed from their program of studies or used in the workplace. Developing a wide range of employability skills is useful from the perspectives of university graduates because it allows them to have a portable set of skills that can be taken to the workplace and from job-to-job. Todays generation of graduates and workers will increasingly be required to develop, possess, and use a wide range of employability skills such as critical thinking, teamwork, and decision-making skills regardless of the kinds of job they are in. Graduates should continue to take stock of the skills they have learnt at university. Meanwhile, faculty members should continue to incorporate or teach these skills alongside the content of the discipline. By doing so, the issues and concerns raised by employers and the general public will be addressed to everyones satisfaction.