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Bridging the Job Skills Gap in India: Assessing Graduate Readiness at Indian Open Universities

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Title: Bridging the Job Skills Gap in India: Assessing Graduate Readiness at Indian Open Universities
Language: English
Authors: Jane-Frances Agbu (ORCID 0000-0001-5852-397X), Jako Olivier (ORCID 0000-0002-5860-6027), Basheerhamad Shadrach (ORCID 0009-0006-7063-3518), Ashish Kumar Awadhiya (ORCID 0000-0003-4676-5861)
Source: Journal of Learning for Development. 2025 12(3):531-545.
Availability: Commonwealth of Learning. 4710 Kingsway Suite 2500, Burnaby, BC V5H 4M2 Canada. Tel: 604-775-8200; Fax: 604-775-8210; e-mail: jl4d@col.org; Web site: http://www.col.org
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 15
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Job Skills, Employment Qualifications, College Graduates, Readiness, Open Universities, Barriers, Program Effectiveness, Affordances
Geographic Terms: India
ISSN: 2311-1550
Abstract: Graduate employability remains a crucial measure in assessing higher education institutions (HEIs), yet a gap exists between the skills imparted by HEIs and evolving job market demands. In India, despite a youthful and English-speaking workforce with substantial global potential, HEIs, particularly State Open Universities (SOUs), experience challenges due to limited resources, weak industry collaboration, and outdated curricula. Addressing this, the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) initiated a project targeting employability practices in 17 Indian SOUs. Using an adapted Institutional Employability Readiness Scorecard, this mixed-methods study assessed the employability readiness of SOUs. The results indicated partial achievement of employability readiness. Strengths included the effective delivery of essential skills, while weaknesses related to limited career events and industry mentorship opportunities. Best-performance practices emphasised functional skills and interdisciplinary exploration. Poor practices involved brokerage and entrepreneurial activities. A 6-C Strategy is proposed: fostering Collaboration, enhancing Classroom Technology, updating Curriculum, building Capacity and Awareness, strengthening Connectivity with students, and ensuring Compliance with policies.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1489510
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Bridging the Job Skills Gap in India: Assessing Graduate Readiness at Indian Open Universities
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Jane-Frances+Agbu%22">Jane-Frances Agbu</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5852-397X">0000-0001-5852-397X</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Jako+Olivier%22">Jako Olivier</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5860-6027">0000-0002-5860-6027</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Basheerhamad+Shadrach%22">Basheerhamad Shadrach</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0006-7063-3518">0009-0006-7063-3518</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ashish+Kumar+Awadhiya%22">Ashish Kumar Awadhiya</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4676-5861">0000-0003-4676-5861</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Learning+for+Development%22"><i>Journal of Learning for Development</i></searchLink>. 2025 12(3):531-545.
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  Data: Commonwealth of Learning. 4710 Kingsway Suite 2500, Burnaby, BC V5H 4M2 Canada. Tel: 604-775-8200; Fax: 604-775-8210; e-mail: jl4d@col.org; Web site: http://www.col.org
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  Data: 15
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  Data: 2025
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Job+Skills%22">Job Skills</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Employment+Qualifications%22">Employment Qualifications</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Graduates%22">College Graduates</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Readiness%22">Readiness</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Open+Universities%22">Open Universities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Barriers%22">Barriers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Program+Effectiveness%22">Program Effectiveness</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Affordances%22">Affordances</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22India%22">India</searchLink>
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  Data: 2311-1550
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  Label: Abstract
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  Data: Graduate employability remains a crucial measure in assessing higher education institutions (HEIs), yet a gap exists between the skills imparted by HEIs and evolving job market demands. In India, despite a youthful and English-speaking workforce with substantial global potential, HEIs, particularly State Open Universities (SOUs), experience challenges due to limited resources, weak industry collaboration, and outdated curricula. Addressing this, the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) initiated a project targeting employability practices in 17 Indian SOUs. Using an adapted Institutional Employability Readiness Scorecard, this mixed-methods study assessed the employability readiness of SOUs. The results indicated partial achievement of employability readiness. Strengths included the effective delivery of essential skills, while weaknesses related to limited career events and industry mentorship opportunities. Best-performance practices emphasised functional skills and interdisciplinary exploration. Poor practices involved brokerage and entrepreneurial activities. A 6-C Strategy is proposed: fostering Collaboration, enhancing Classroom Technology, updating Curriculum, building Capacity and Awareness, strengthening Connectivity with students, and ensuring Compliance with policies.
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  Data: EJ1489510
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    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 15
        StartPage: 531
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Job Skills
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Employment Qualifications
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College Graduates
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Readiness
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Open Universities
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Barriers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Program Effectiveness
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      – SubjectFull: Affordances
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: India
        Type: general
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      – TitleFull: Bridging the Job Skills Gap in India: Assessing Graduate Readiness at Indian Open Universities
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