This
study adopted the quantitative research design to unearth hidden factors which
go into graduate employability decisions. Purposive sampling technique was used
to select graduates, institutions and industries within Takoradi, Cape Coast,
Kumasi and Accra metropolis all in Ghana. Three different questionnaires
inter-spaced with interviews were designed and used to collect data from the
field according to a pre-determined stratified scheme. A total of 200
informants including 68 industries, 120 graduates and 12 institutions were
used. The data was coded and keyed into SPSS version 20. Tables and Charts were
used to explore the data. Principal component (PC) analysis was employed to
extract hidden factors industries consider in graduate employability decisions.
The PC method identified and extracted six hidden factors: ability to set SMART
goals and structure actions; ability to demonstrate a willingness to embrace
new systems, processes, technology and ideas; a determined, committed,
resilient, and focused person; a person with passion for driving profit;
ability to deconstruct a problem or situation; and clear and unprompted ability
to present information to a group. These six hidden factors could explain 68.8%
of the variances in graduate employability decisions. We recommend that
internships be properly planned and executed with the involvement of industry
players, facilitators of learning, and the ministry of trade and industries. In
addition, facilitators should inculcate into students’ important traits and
attributes identified in this study.
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