Abstract: Kenya now has a growing number of private universities offering various degrees, including education. This suggests a large outflow of graduates into the highly competitive job market. In response, private universities have adopted the soft skills demanded by employers to give graduates an edge over other universities. Soft skills clearly increase employability in the labor market. The present study was conducted in four targeted Western private sponsored universities offering education program. Target population was education students and lectures. Concurrent mixed-methods research design was employed. Based on the findings and reviewed literature, a model of soft skills development was proposed for use. The study recommends that lecturers in Schools of education should use the model developed to develop soft skills among learners during teaching and learning process.

Abstract: Currently, Kenya is recording an increase in the number of private universities offering various bachelor’s degree programs including education. This suggests that there is a high number of education graduates released into a very competitive job market. In response, private universities adopted soft skills required by employers in order to provide graduates with an edge over their counterparts. Soft skills evidently offer better employability in the job market. The present study was conducted in four targeted Western Kenya private sponsored universities offering education program in Kenya. The target population of the study was education lecturers in school of education. Concurrent mixed-methods research design was employed. Data was acquired using closed ended questionnaire and analysis was done descriptively. Findings revealed that lecturers strongly agreed that they developed communicative skills and ethics and professionalism during teaching and learning activities. It was recommended that lecturers in schools of education in private universities continue emphasizing on implementation of soft skills among education students during teaching and learning process as this is vital to their employability.