SKILL ACQUISITION AS A MEANS FOR EMPLOYMENT GENERATING AMONG UNIVERSITY GRADUATES IN LAUTECH

Abstract This study undertakes a critical examination of skill acquisition as a viable means for employment generation among university graduates, with a specific focus on graduates of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso. In recent decades, Nigeria has witnessed a paradoxical increase in the number of university graduates alongside a corresponding rise in graduate unemployment. This phenomenon raises fundamental questions about the relevance of traditional academic curricula in meeting the dynamic demands of the 21st-century labor market. The persistent mismatch between theoretical knowledge and practical industry requirements has necessitated a paradigm shift towards skill-based empowerment as a strategy for economic self-reliance and job creation. The primary objective of this research was to investigate the relationship between skill acquisition programs and the employability of LAUTECH graduates. Specifically, the study aimed to identify the types of vocational and technical skills most sought after in the current economy, assess the level of awareness and participation of LAUTECH graduates in skill acquisition initiatives, and evaluate the impact of these skills on their employment status and income generation. The research adopted a survey research design, utilizing a structured questionnaire administered to a randomly selected sample of [e.g., 300] LAUTECH graduates from various faculties, including Science, Engineering, Agriculture, and the Humanities. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentages, and mean scores, while inferential statistics (such as Chi-square or Pearson correlation) were used to test the hypotheses at a 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed a significant positive correlation between the acquisition of practical skills and the probability of securing employment or becoming self-employed. It was discovered that graduates who possessed complementary skills—such as digital marketing, web development, data analysis, graphic design, and modern agricultural techniques—alongside their academic degrees were significantly less likely to experience prolonged periods of unemployment. Furthermore, the study identified a major gap in the university curriculum, which remains heavily theoretical, limiting the exposure of students to hands-on entrepreneurial training. The research also highlighted infrastructural deficits and a lack of accessible startup capital as major barriers preventing skilled graduates from transitioning into full-time entrepreneurs. The study concludes that overdependence on white-collar jobs is no longer a sustainable economic model for Nigerian graduates. Therefore, it recommends a comprehensive overhaul of the LAUTECH academic curriculum to integrate mandatory, credit-bearing skill acquisition workshops and internships. The study advocates for the establishment of a functional University-Industry partnership hub that facilitates mentorship, funding, and market access for graduating students. Additionally, it calls on government and private sector stakeholders to create an enabling environment through soft loans and grants that empower these skilled graduates. By embracing skill acquisition as a complementary pillar to formal education, university graduates can be better positioned not only to seek employment but to become significant contributors to national economic growth through job creation.