Channelling employability perceptions through lifelong learning: an empirical investigation

• Published in: Education & training (London) Vol. 63; no. 5; pp. 763 - 776
• Main Authors: Nimmi, P.M., Zakkariya, K.A., Rahul, P.R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Emerald Publishing Limited 01.06.2021; Emerald Group Publishing Limited
• Subjects: Attitudes; Colleges & universities; Educational Practices; Employment Potential; Engineering education; Foreign Countries; Gender Differences; Graduate Students; Higher Education; Human Capital; Informal Education; Lifelong Learning; Perceptions; Skill Development; Student Attitudes; Students; Technical Education; India; Perceived employability; Lifelong learning; Human capital
• ISSN: 0040-0912; 1758-6127
• DOI: 10.1108/ET-10-2020-0295

PurposeGraduates' attitudes towards learning, although subject to change, is a crucial indicator of their understanding and involvement in lifelong learning activities. The purpose of this paper is to explore whether lifelong learning enhances human capital worth to predict perceived employability. An enquiry into the attitudinal differences on lifelong learning among male and female students was also looked into.Design/methodology/approachAn empirical examination using Warp-PLS was conducted on the propositions among 286 engineering graduate students in Kerala, India, from January 2020 to March 2020.FindingsThe Warp-PLS examination reveals a positive association between lifelong learning and perceived employability and warrants the mediating role of lifelong learning in the association between human capital and perceived employability. A gendered variation on attitudinal differences towards lifelong learning is also looked into, and no difference between males and females is found.Originality/valueThe impact of lifelong learning on employability has been conceptually discussed before. This paper is the first attempt to empirically prove the same with a proper theoretical explanation.