Digital Skills as Factors Predicting Employability of OTM Graduates in Global Age

Abstract

The study examined digital skills as factors predicting employability of OTM graduates in global age. Two research questions were answered and a descriptive research method of survey strategy was used. The aggregate population of the study encompassed 32 OTM postgraduates in Olabisi Onabanjo University and University of Lagos for the academic session 2024/2025. For sample size, the whole population of the study were studied, using enumeration strategy. Researcher self-originated instrument titled: Digital Skills and Employability Questionnaire (DSEQ) with a reliability coefficient (r = .97) was employed for data collection. Mean, standard deviation and bar-chart were used for answering and presenting research questions 1 and 2 was answered using regression analysis. The findings of the study depicted that cloud computing, artificial intelligence, digital marketing, data analysis, cybersecurity, effective digital communication, digital collaboration, blockchain, proficiency in office suites skills and social media management skills were among digital skills required for employability of OTM graduates in global age. Exogenous variable (required digital skills) directly influence endogenous variable (employability of OTM graduates) (β = .295, t = 6.854, p <.05). In short, about 29.5% of an increase in employability of OTM graduates could be attributed towards predicting factors of required digital skills. It was recommended that OTM undergraduates should be equip with required digital skills for immediate employment opportunities, with this, the level of their employability after graduation could become high. The department of business education should also engage experts in training and equipping undergraduates in employability skills, through this, employability level of its graduates could be on better side.