Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Conceptualising Graduate Work-Readiness: Theories, Concepts and Implications for Practice and Research

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
The Transition from Graduation to Work

Part of the book series: Work, Organization, and Employment ((WOAE))

Abstract

This chapter discusses the conceptualization of graduate work-readiness (GWR) and outlines the theoretical underpinnings associated with developing these conceptualisations. The chapter develops the Work-Related Integrated Competence Model (WRICM) as a comprehensive representation of the competency sets required by graduates to meet the expectations of the multiple stakeholders associated with the graduate transition process. The chapter evaluates the measurement of GWR using the WRICM models and compares it to other models used to measure GWR. The implications and possibilities of the WRICM model are then outlined. The proposed model provides a comprehensive foundation for evaluating GWR and for informing practice and policy around developing GWR attributes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • ACT Report. (2013). The condition of work readiness in the United States. Iowa City, IA 52243-0168.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alves, M. G. (2005). The entry into working life of higher education graduates: An educational perspective. European Journal of Vocational Training, 34, 28–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Atlay, M., & Harris, R. (2000). An institutional approach to developing students’ ‘transferable’ skills. Innovations in Education and Training International, 37(1), 76–84.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barney, J. (1991). Firm resources and sustained competitive advantage. Journal of Management, 17(1), 99–120.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barrie, S. C. (2006). Understanding what we mean by the generic attributes of graduates. Higher Education, 51(2), 215–241.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barrington, L., Casner-Lotto, J., & Wright, M. (2006). Are they really ready to work? Employers’ perspectives on the basic knowledge and applied skills of new entrants to the 21st century US workforce. In Conference Board, corporate voices for working families, the partnership for 21st century skills, and the society for human resource management. 1 Massachusetts Avenue NW Suite 700, Washington, DC 20001.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhaerman, R., & Spill, R. (1988). A dialogue on employability skills: How can they be taught? Journal of Career Development, 15(1), 41–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Billett, S. (2012). Practice-based learning and professional education: Pursuing quality outcomes and sustainability. In J. Higgs, R. Barnett, S. Billett, M. Hutchings, & F. Trede (Eds.), Practice-based education: Perspectives and strategies (pp. 101–112). Rotterdam: Sense Publishers.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Bridgstock, R. (2009). The graduate attributes we’ve overlooked: Enhancing graduate employability through career management skills. Higher Education Research & Development, 28(1), 31–44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burgess, J., Cameron, R., Dhakal, S., & Brown, K. (2017). Introduction: Applicant work-readiness and graduate employability challenges in the Asia Pacific. In R. Cameron, S. Dhakal, & J. Burgess (Eds.), Transitions from education to work: Workforce ready challenges in the Asia Pacific (pp. 3–15). Abingdon: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Caballero, C., Walker, A., & Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, M. (2011). The Work-readiness Scale (WRS): Developing a measure to assess work-readiness in college graduates. Journal of Teaching and Learning for Graduate Employability, 2(2), 41–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cabellero, C. L., & Walker, A. (2010). Work readiness in graduate recruitment and selection: A review of current assessment methods. Journal of teaching and learning for graduate employability, 1(1), 13–25.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Canadian Council of Chief Executives. (2014). Preliminary survey report: The skill needs of major Canadian employers, Toronto.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cavanagh, J., Burston, M., Southcombe, A., & Bartram, T. (2015). Contributing to a graduate-centred understanding of work readiness: An exploratory study of Australian undergraduate students’ perceptions of their employability. The International Journal of Management Education, 13(3), 278–288.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clark, H. (2013). A comprehensive framework for measuring skills gaps and determining work readiness. Employment Relations Today, 40(3), 1–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, M. (2017). Rethinking graduate employability: The role of capital, individual attributes and context. Studies in Higher Education, 1–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coetzee, M. (2012). A framework for developing student graduateness and employability in the economic and management sciences at the University of South Africa. Developing student graduateness and employability: Issues, provocations, theory and practical guidelines, pp.119–152.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coetzee, M. (2014). Measuring student graduateness: Reliability and construct validity of the graduate skills and attributes scale. Higher Education Research & Development, 33(5), 887–902.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Costea, B., Amiridis, K., & Crump, N. (2012). Graduate employability and the principle of potentiality: An aspect of the ethics of HRM. Journal of Business Ethics, 111(1), 25–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Curzon-Hobson, A. (2004). The marginalization of higher learning: An interpretation of current tertiary reform policy in New Zealand. Teaching in Higher Education, 9(2), 211–224.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Daniels, J., & Brooker, J. (2014). Student identity development in higher education: Implications for graduate attributes and work-readiness. Educational Research, 56(1), 65–76.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Economist Intelligence Unit. (2014). Closing the skills gap: Companies and colleges collaborating for change, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Finch, D., Nadeau, J., & O’Reilly, N. (2012). The future of marketing education: A practitioners perspective. Journal of Marketing Education, 35(1), 54–67.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Finch, D. J., Peacock, M., Levallet, N., & Foster, W. (2016). A dynamic capabilities view of employability: Exploring the drivers of competitive advantage for university graduates. Education+Training, 58(1), 61–81.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gardner, P. D., & Liu, W. Y. (1997). Prepared to perform? Employers rate work force readiness of new grads. Journal of Career Planning & Employment, 57(3), 32–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glover, D., Law, S., & Youngman, A. (2002). Graduateness and employability: Student perceptions of the personal outcomes of university education. Research in Post Compulsory Education, 7(3), 293–306.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Green, W., Hammer, S., & Star, C. (2009). Facing up to the challenge: Why is it so hard to develop graduate attributes? Higher Education Research & Development, 28(1), 17–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hager, P. (2006). Nature and development of generic attributes. In P. Hager & S. Holland (Eds.), Graduate attributes, learning and employability. The Netherlands: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hager, P., & Holland, S. (2006). Introduction. In P. Hager & S. Holland (Eds.), Graduate attributes, learning and employability. The Netherlands: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hambur, S., Rowe, K., & Luc, L. T. (2002). Graduate skills assessment: Stage one validity study. Canberra, ACT: The Australian Council for Educational Research (Ed.), Commonwealth Department of Education, Science and Training.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harvey, L. (2001). Defining and measuring employability. Quality in Higher Education, 7(2), 97–109.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hillman, L., & Foster, R. R. (2011). The impact of nursing transitions programme on retention and cost savings. Journal of Nursing Management, 19, 50–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hinchliffe, G. W., & Jolly, A. (2011). Graduate identity and employability. British Educational Research Journal, 37(4), 563–584.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hogan, R., Hogan, J., & Roberts, B. W. (1996). Personality measurement and employment decisions: Questions and answers. American Psychologist, 51(5), 469.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holmes, L. (2013). Competing perspectives on graduate employability: Possession, position or process? Studies in Higher Education, 38(4), 538–554.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jollands, M., Jolly, L., & Molyneaux, T. (2012). Project-based learning as a contributing factor to graduates’ work-readiness. European Journal of Engineering Education, 37(2), 143–154.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Litchfield, A., Nettleton, S., & Taylor, T. (2008, October). Integrating work-ready learning into the university curriculum contextualised by profession. In WACE Asia-Pacific Conference (p. 340).

    Google Scholar 

  • Masole, L., & van Dyk, G. (2016). Factors influencing work readiness of graduates: An exploratory study. Journal of Psychology in Africa, 26(1), 70–73.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mason, G., Williams, G., & Cranmer, S. (2006). Employability skills initiatives in higher education: What effects do they have on graduate labour market outcomes? London: NIESR, University of London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Monteiro, S., Almeida, L., & Aracil, A. G. (2016). Graduates’ perceptions of competencies and preparation for labour market transition: The effect of gender and work experience during higher education. Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, 6(2), 208–220.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nankervis, A., Prikshat, V., & Cameron, R. (2018). Graduate work-readiness in Asia pacific economies: A review of the literature. In R. Cameron et al. (Eds.), Transitions from education to work: Workforce ready challenges in the Asia Pacific (pp. 16–42). Abingdon: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Brien, K., Moore, A., Hartley, P., & Dawson, D. (2013). Lessons about work readiness from final year paramedic students in an Australian university. Australasian Journal of Paramedicine, 10(4), 2013.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Neil, H. F., Allred, K., & Baker, E. L. (1997). Review of workforce readiness theoretical frameworks. In H. F. O’Neil (Ed.), Workforce readiness competencies and assessment (pp. 3–25). New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oprean, C. (2007). Adequately responding to “reform” and “anti-reform” pressures in the Romanian higher education system under the Bologna Process. Higher Education in Europe, 32(1), 91–97.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Porter, L. W., & McKibbin, L. E. (1988). Management education and development: Drift or thrust into the 21st century. New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Raftopoulos, M., Van der Westhuizen, S., & Visser, D. (2009). Work-readiness skills in the Fasset Sector. SA Journal of Human Resource Management (SA Tydskrif vir Menslikehulpbronbestuur), 7(1), Art. #196, 8 p. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajhrm.v7i1.196.

  • Reid, J. R., & Anderson, P. R. (2012). Critical thinking in the business classroom. Journal of Education for Business, 87(1), 52–59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Romyn, D. M., Linton, N., Giblin, C., Hendrickson, B., Houger Limacher, L., Murray, C., et al. (2009). Successful transition of the new graduate nurse. International Journal of Nursing Education Scholarship, 6(1), 1–17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scherbaum, C. A., Goldstein, H. W., Yusko, K. P., Ryan, R., & Hanges, P. J. (2012). Intelligence 2.0: Reestablishing a research program on g in I-O psychology. Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 5(2), 128–148.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt, F. L., & Hunter, J. (2004). General mental ability in the world of work: Occupational attainment and job performance. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 86(1), 162–173.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stiwne, E. E., & Jungert, T. (2010). Engineering students’ experiences of transition from study to work. Journal of Education and Work, 23(5), 417–437.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Teece, D. J., Pisano, G., & Shuen, A. (1997). Dynamic capabilities and strategic management. Strategic Management Journal, 17(7), 509–533.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tymon, A. (2011). The student perspective on employability. Studies in Higher Education (Published online). https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2011.604408.

  • Tynjälä, P., Välimaa, J., & Sarja, A. (2003). Pedagogical perspectives on the relationships between higher education and working life. Higher Education, 46(2), 147–166.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walker, A., Storey, K. M., Costa, B. M., & Leung, R. K. (2015). Refinement and validation of the work readiness scale for graduate nurses. Nursing Outlook, 63(6), 632–638.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walker, A., Yong, M., Pang, L., Fullarton, C., Costa, B., & Dunning, A. M. T. (2013). Work readiness of graduate health professionals. Nurse Education Today, 33(2), 116–122.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wellman, N. (2010). The employability attributes required of new marketing graduates. Marketing Intelligence and Planning, 28(7), 908–930. https://doi.org/10.1108/02634501011086490.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wolff, A. C., Pesut, B., & Regan, S. (2010). New graduate nurse practice readiness: Perspectives on the context shaping our understanding and expectations. Nurse Education Today, 30, 187–191.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wye, C. K., & Lim, Y. M. (2009). Perception differential between employers and undergraduates on the importance of employability skills. International education studies, 2(1), 95–105.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Australian Institute of Business, Adelaide, Australia

    Verma Prikshat

  2. Curtin University, Bentley, Australia

    Subas Dhakal

  3. RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia

    Alan Nankervis & John Burgess

Authors
  1. Verma Prikshat
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Alan Nankervis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. John Burgess
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Subas Dhakal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Verma Prikshat .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Management, Curtin University, Perth, Western Autralia, Australia

    Subas Dhakal

  2. Australian Institute of Business, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

    Verma Prikshat

  3. School of Management, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

    Alan Nankervis

  4. School of Management, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

    John Burgess

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Prikshat, V., Nankervis, A., Burgess, J., Dhakal, S. (2019). Conceptualising Graduate Work-Readiness: Theories, Concepts and Implications for Practice and Research. In: Dhakal, S., Prikshat, V., Nankervis, A., Burgess, J. (eds) The Transition from Graduation to Work. Work, Organization, and Employment. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-0974-8_2

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation