ASSESSING INITIATIVES TO IMPROVE EMPLOYABILITY OF OFFICE MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY STUDENTS

This paper looks at the employability of students studying Office Management and Technology diploma at the Durban University of Technology. This paper intends to assess initiatives to improve employability of OMT students in order to ensure student retention and success. The national debate on graduate employment has moved from the narrow focus on a set of essential core skills within the undergraduate curriculum. Various initiatives have been introduced to prepare students for graduate jobs rather than for any job. This includes developing critical, reflective abilities, skills for self-career management and the maintenance of employability and career progression. For OMT students, employability depends on the knowledge, skills and attitudes they possess, the way they use those assets and present them to employers and the context within which they work. The most effective initiative which enhances employment of OMT graduates is the effective and efficient work integrated learning (WIL) they undergo when they do their third year. The Department ensures the placement of all students which grants jobs to more than 70% of the students. However, this is not sufficient; the Department requires new initiatives to be put in place to improve the employability of its graduates. The training these students receive so far equips them with the necessary abilities to function as intelligent citizens who can be self-employed and self-reliant. The skills they acquire enable them to contribute to the productivity and development of the organisations they work for. Many graduates are affected by an increasing rate of unemployment but this is not the case for OMT graduates. Interviews will be conducted to collect data. The relevant theory will be used.