Empowering Students from Low Socio-Economic Background in Financial Accounting with 21st Century Graduate Employability Skills

Abstract

Unemployment is usually linked directly with lack of jobs for school leavers. However, studies have found that unemployment is also caused by lack of skilled manpower. The situation in Nigeria particularly shows that many students, especially those from low socio-economic backgrounds, do not have enough opportunity to acquire the necessary employability skills.  The present study focuses on the need for vocational departments and faculties in universities to develop teaching methods to imbue low-income students with the relevant skills for employability in the 21^st century. The study was therefore guided by four purposes, namely, students’ perception of their own skill levels based on internship experiences, the broad-based employability skills possessed by students prior to graduation, students self-assessment of their own skills while in school, students’ perception of curriculum implementation and its relationship with employability skills, and students’ perception of the preparedness of lecturers to teach practical accounting skill in the 21^st century. The study adopted a survey research method to administer 436 copies of the questionnaire to final year business education students in two universities in Enugu State. Self-acquisition theory was used as an anchor for the study. Findings indicate that the respondents lack the necessary qualities for employability just after school. This is indicated in a low level of professional and technical skills. Similarly, the respondents rated themselves low on broad based skills, which had a grand mean of 2.90. The study recommends that school curriculum should continue to emphasize professional and technical skills. Class assignments and projects should be in these areas, for example, analytical skill, computer skill, ethicality and personal integrity, technical knowledge, communication skills, and mastery of real-world situations.

Keywords: Students, Financial Accounting, Skills, Employability

DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/16-2-06

Publication date:March 31^st 2024