A Bridging the Skills Gap: English Language Communication as a Tool for Improving TVET Graduate Employability

Abstract

The increasing complexity of the global labor market has increased the value of employability skills over and above technical skills in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). Although the government of Ethiopia has continued to invest in expanding TVET, the unemployment and underemployment of graduates is a serious problem, and English language communication is often identified as a competency that is less developed among graduates. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between English communication skills and employability among Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) graduates in Ethiopia. To this end, a convergent mixed-methods design was employed, combining qualitative data from 35 TVET instructors and 25 employers with quantitative  data from 210 TVET graduates. Descriptive data showed that students'

performance in four language skills was moderate; writing (M = 2.95) and speaking (M = 3.12) were the weaker skills in comparison to reading and listening. Correlation analysis showed a strong positive relationship between English communication skills and employability (r = .68, p < .01) and multiple regression analysis indicated that the English communication skills

significantly accounted for the variance in employability (R² = .54, β = .62, p< .001). These were confirmed by qualitative findings, which emphasized gaps in curriculum, instruction and industry linkages. The study findings support the need for strengthening English communication skills through curriculum reform, ESP integration, and industry involvement in Ethiopian TVET in order to overcome the gap in English communication skills and make the employees ready for the job market.