Developing the Employability of University Graduates: International Experiences and Modelling

One of the reasons for the lack of employability of university graduates is the lack of appropriate models for the development of employability. Employment is a process that is not only affected by education but is influenced by a set of factors and components, and it is necessary to consider all the factors affecting this process as well as the relationships between them as a model for employability development. The purpose of this study was to provide a model for the development of employability according to international experiences and taking into account intra-university and extra-university factors. The research was conducted using a non-experimental research design and qualitative content analysis method or mapping accumulation through document mining. Various international and national experiences and patterns of employability development were reviewed and the components of employability development were identified to present the pattern of employability development. The validity of the components and the proposed model were confirmed by the comments and suggestions of the supervisors and advisors. According to the research results, employability assets are obtained through lifelong interaction of the components of employability skills, specialized competencies, job management skills and extracurricular activities, and employment is achieved through the transition into working life. The presented model included intra-university factors (the type of training provided (general-vocational), curriculum, field of study, pedagogy) along with extra-university factors such as economic, cultural and social factors affecting employment methods and also providing job opportunities and motivation and desire for employment and entrepreneurship. In the proposed model, the employability process was updated and improved by monitoring employment and providing review feedback.