EVALUATION THE DIGITAL SKILLS COMPETENCE REQUIRED OF OTM STUDENTS FOR EMPOWERMENT AND EMPLOYABILITY

ABSTRACT The research study examines Evaluation The Digital Skills Competence Required Of OTM Students For Empowerment And Employability. The main objective of the study is to find out the specific digital skills needed by OTM students for empowerment and employability and to investigate the correlation between digital skills competence and employment opportunities for students in the field The researcher adopt a survey design for the study. The population used for the study consist of 40 OTM lecturers of the Federal Polytechnic Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State University, Ekiti State and Bamidele Olumilua University of Education Science and Technology Ikere Ekiti, Ekiti State. The entire population was used as the sample size. The instrument used for the study is the questionnaire. Findings of the study revealed that Office Technology and Management (OTM) students require a range of digital skills to enhance their employability and empowerment. Key skills include proficiency in office software (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite), data management, digital communication tools, social media literacy, and basic understanding of cybersecurity practices. Additionally, skills in project management software and familiarity with cloud computing are increasingly important. The study concluded that the evaluation of digital skills competency among Office Technology and Management (OTM) students in Ekiti State reveals a critical need for enhanced training programs that align with current industry demands. As the job market increasingly favors candidates with robust digital competencies, it is essential for educational institutions to integrate comprehensive digital literacy into their curricula. The study therefore recommends among others that OTM students should focus on mastering essential software tools such as Microsoft Office Suite, project management software, and data analysis programs. This proficiency enhances their employability by aligning their skills with industry demands.