The Employability Skill Sets and Competencies of Graduates in Oman: The Employers’ Perspective

Abstract

The study attempts to examine the factors that influence the employability skills and competencies of graduates in Oman in general with specific reference to the current period of the COVID 19 pandemic. The data, which is primary in nature, has been collected through a well-defined questionnaire.  There are 74 responses representing government, private and quasi-governmental enterprises considered in the study. The samples consist of employers directly or indirectly belonging to the Oil and Gas sector constituting almost 45%, followed by the education sector constituting 15%. An analysis of descriptive statistics, Garrett’s ranking technique, and multiple regression revealed that the size of the firms in terms of the number of employees and their level of education is positively associated.  Further, small firms rely more on employees who are foreign-educated graduates than large firms do. Adaptability, computer skills, language skills such as reading and writing in English, planning, organizing, and decision-making skills, and team working skills are the most preferred skill sets required of graduates in the employment market during the period of the COVID 19 pandemic in Oman.  Employers consider foreign-educated students more reliable with better skill sets required for employment than local graduates.  Smaller firms tend to recruit a greater number of foreign-educated students than large firms do.  The study reiterates that employers should offer their employees appropriate training opportunities in the wake of the COVID 19 pandemic crisis that affects the very nature of employment, to enhance their perception about the scope of their roles and responsibilities in the unforeseen working environment and their ability to cope with the business risk.

Keywords: Higher Educational Institutions in Oman, Employability Skill sets and Competencies, COVID 19 Pandemic, and the period of the aftermath, Employers, Graduate Attributes.

DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/13-4-05

Publication date: February 28^th 2021