Influence of Career Counselling Technique on Employability Skills Acquisition among University Graduates in Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64348/zije.2026410Keywords:
Career Counselling, Employability Skills, Nigerian Graduates, Unemployment, Higher EducationAbstract
This study examined the effectiveness of career counselling in enhancing employability skills among Nigerian graduates in response to the persistent challenge of graduate unemployment in the country. In recent years, concerns have intensified over the growing mismatch between academic training and the practical demands of the labour market. Many graduates leave tertiary institutions without the requisite soft and technical skills needed to compete effectively in today’s dynamic job environment. Career counselling has therefore been identified as a vital intervention for equipping students with essential competencies such as communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, adaptability, and strategic career planning. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design to assess the impact of career counselling services on graduates’ employability outcomes. A sample of 250 graduates drawn from selected tertiary institutions, including University of Abuja, participated in the study. Data were collected using a structured instrument titled “Career Counselling and Employability Skills Questionnaire (CCESQ),” designed to measure exposure to counselling services and acquisition of employability skills. Findings from the study revealed that career counselling plays a significant role in improving graduates’ awareness of job opportunities, enhancing career readiness, and fostering the development of critical employability skills. The study concludes that effective counselling services can bridge the gap between education and employment. It therefore recommends the strengthening of counselling units in Nigerian universities and the integration of structured employability skills training into academic curricula to better prepare graduates for the workforce.
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