Skill-Oriented Education And Career Competence Among Postgraduate Students In University Of Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

University education is a fundamental tool used for empowering the citizens with high-level technical skills and abilities that can be used for national development. Skilled-oriented education is fundamental to the attainment of educational goals and objectives. For these set of skills, knowledge and capabilities acquired at the university level will enhance the employability status and career competence of individuals. The study examined skill-oriented education and career competence among postgraduate students in University of Lagos, Nigeria. The study raised two research questions and hypotheses. The descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The study focused on postgraduate students in University of Lagos, and the total population of the study was 7,417 as at 2017/2018 academic session. Using multi-stage sampling technique, the researchers selected 810 postgraduate students for the study. The research instrument used to collect data for the study was a self-developed questionnaire. The research instrument was validated by two professors in the department of Educational Management. The researchers administered 810 copies of the questionnaire and 800 copies (representing 98.8% return rate) were in usable state. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics (specifically: mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (specifically: Pearson Product Moment Correlation). Findings from the study showed that: personal management skill, information technology skill are related to career competence. The study recommends that the National Universities Commission should ensure that the universities in Nigeria should fully implement practical oriented curriculum at all programmes.