The Conceptualisation of Employability among Higher Education Administrators in Sri Lanka

What is it about?

In developing countries, employability is ambiguous and understudied, unlike in Western literature. This study tackles this issue by analysing how Sri Lankan higher education administrators define employability and what capitals they believe are needed to accomplish it. The findings demonstrated that employability was conceptualised as requiring transferable skills and job specific occupational skills, representing a narrow view of employability, rather than a longer-term capability building view. Although, the results also show the applicability of Bourdieu’s (1977) capitals in with cultural and social capital and proficiency in English language critical to meeting employability objectives.

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Why is it important?

This study tackles the lack of studies on employability in developing nations. Most employability studies have sampled students, instructors, and employers, but this study examines strategic administrators in higher education who implement the employability agenda. These findings help policymakers balance the Sri Lankan higher education curriculum and sector strategy by including employability.