According to the findings of a study by a higher education accrediting organization, many employers assert colleges are not adequetely preparing students for the workplace.
The organization polled over 1,000 employers from varied industries to determine whether recent grads have the necessary skills to succeed in the workplace. More than half the employers said it was difficult to find qualified applicants.
Employers say colleges do not fully prepare students for jobs.
Rep. Virginia Foxx of North Carolina, who chairs the House higher-education subcommittee, urges institutions to heed employers’ calls. “Colleges and universities are pandering to students and giving them what they want rather than what employers need.” I don’t believe there is a distinction to be made between acquiring skills and acquiring an education.”
Regrettably, universities do think there’s a difference. Plato founded the first university, the Platonic Academy, in 428/427 BC. Only scholars were invited to attend. The Platonic Academy’s purpose was to deepen its students’ understanding of, and relationship with, philosophy. Over time, these institutions have become steeped in the business of academics, expanding their teaching to literature, mathematics, history, and other academic subjects all with an emphasis on logical reasoning. During the 20th century, universities began to offer “vocational degrees” in subjects such as construction, broadcasting, dance, tourism, accounting, and others. But few do a good job at it. Vocational degrees have increasingly been offered as a tactic to attract more tuition-paying market share to the university.
Employers want students to leave school with skills such as collaboration, verbal and written communication, innovation, listening, and more.
Fewer than 10% of employers said colleges do an “excellent” job of preparing students for the workplace, per employer surveys. Finding good candidates has become increasingly difficult, according to nearly 30% of respondents. Applicants performed below employers’ expectations on all hiring criteria measured by the survey, such as adaptability and communications skills.
Most vocational and trade schools focus their curricula on workplace readiness. And holding a job throughout college can familiarize students with the skills and protocols they’ll need to succeed in their careers.