Abstract:

This research focuses on developing a transversal skills and doctorate employability model. With every passing year increases the number of doctorates and it becomes important to recognize their professional involvement is no more restricted to academic institutions. Universities are facilitating the professional transition of doctorate holders towards industrial and corporate jobs with transversal skills training and intersectoral schemes for mobility (Hasgall, Saenen and Damian, 2019). Our model helps in the form of a framework for explaining the relation between transversal skills and employability to different stakeholders. This model can also be used for further evolution in the training of doctoral students in transversal skills and how it can be used for the employability in non-academic institutions.

Transversal skills training is a common practice in the doctoral training, a survey highlighted that 89% of the Europe’s universities provide training in transversal skills (Hasgall, Saenen and Damian, 2019). The topic of doctoral training has drawn research attention in the recent past (Leonardo, 2015; Martins et al., 2021; Repečkaitė, 2016). However, there is still room for further development and improvement. Moreover, the impact of this specific training on PhD holders’ employability demands a deep investigation.

Our study identifies determinants (skills, knowledge, competences) which form subvertical to transversal skills and links them to doctorate employability. The knowledge drawn from the review of literature has contributed to the development of the different elements of the model. The presence of the included elements in the model are categorically justified. Diverse models are also identified and cited which are related to or come under the purview of this study.

This study in the domain of PhD employability in relation to transversal skills provides further testable theoretical knowledge. A practical implication of this study could facilitate the development of a needs assessment based transversal skills training course which may positively contribute to the doctorate employability.

References:
[1] Hasgall, A., Saenen, B. and Borrell-Damian, L., 2022. Doctoral education in Europe today: approaches and institutional structures. DOCTORAL EDUCATION. European University Association.
[2] Leonardo, M., 2015. Lost in Transfer: How Training Participant Narratives Reveal Training Transfer Experiences. Doctor of Philosophy. NC State University.
[3] Martins, H., Freitas, A., Direito, I. and Salgado, A., 2021. Engineering the future: transversal skills in Engineering Doctoral Education. 2021 4th International Conference of the Portuguese Society for Engineering Education (CISPEE).
[4] Repečkaitė, D., 2016. Reframing European doctoral training for the new ERA. European Journal of Higher Education, 6(3), pp.256-270.

Keywords:

PhD Employability, Doctoral Training, Transversal Skills.