Enhancing Graduate Employability through Employers’ Engagement in Work-Integrated Learning in Tanzanian Technical and Vocational Education and Training Institutions

Lilian Otieno – College of Business Educations, Department of Business Administration, Dodoma, Tanzania

Petro Maziku – College of Business Education, Department of Business Administration, Mwanza, Tanzania

Robert G. Mashenene – College of Business Education, Department of Marketing, Dar es salaam, Tanzania

Email: lilianomendaoti@gmail.com

Abstract: Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) fundamentally is a pillar for improving employability among graduates. Nonetheless, evidence concerning engagement of employers in WIL in institutions under the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Tanzania is minimally established. The research closed the gap that existed by examining engagement of employers in WIL among institutions in Tanzania under TVET. A mixed method comprising quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews was adopted. Based on students’ enrolment status and graduate outputs, four institutions under TVET were chosen purposively. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression were adopted for quantitative data analysis while thematic analysis was adopted for analysing qualitative data. The results disclose that levels of employers’ engagement, motivation and skills development at p < 0.05 were significant and positive in predicting employability of graduates. The research presents conclusion that engagement of employers in WIL programmes boost TVET employability of graduates. Formalizing and sustaining partnerships between institutions under TVET, policymakers, and employers through development of curricula, students’ review, funding, and training placements were recommended for strengthening quality of WIL and employability of graduates.