Employers satisfied with work performance of local graduates
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Overall, about 98 per cent of the surveyed employers were satisfied with the work performance of first degree graduates, including about 78 per cent who indicated that they were quite satisfied or very satisfied. About 97 per cent of the surveyed employers were satisfied with the work performance of the sub-degree graduates, including about 68 per cent who were quite satisfied or very satisfied.
The survey aimed to collect employers' opinions on nine broad aspects of graduate performance, namely language proficiency (Chinese and English), numerical competency, information technology literacy, analytical and problem-solving abilities, work attitude, interpersonal skills, management skills, technical knowledge required for the job, and knowledge on current affairs and self-learning ability. The survey results show that, of these nine aspects, work attitude was perceived by employers as the most important aspect of competence.
The 2019 first degree graduates performed the best in terms of work attitude, followed by information technology literacy, language proficiency and interpersonal skills. Their performance scores in all nine major aspects are over 3.50 on a five-point scale, indicating that their performance was better than "generally meeting employers' required standard". The overall work performance score of the graduates is 3.74, showing that they met and sometimes exceeded the employers' required standard. This is also the highest score obtained in such surveys over the years.
The overall work performance score of the 2019 sub-degree graduates is 3.55, which is also the highest score among all rounds of surveys. Their performance scores in nine broad aspects are all over 3.01, showing that their performance was better than "generally meeting employers' required standard". The sub-degree graduates performed the best in terms of work attitude, followed by information technology literacy, interpersonal skills and technical knowledge required for the job.
The survey also solicited the employers' opinions on how to step up industry-institution collaboration, and their willingness to participate in collaborative initiatives. More than half of the employers saw a need to step up industry-institution collaboration and expressed a willingness to provide internships or pre-employment training for post-secondary students.
This survey was conducted from the fourth quarter of 2021 to the second quarter of 2022 through questionnaires to the employers, from both private and public sectors, of the relevant graduates. Over 1 500 valid responses were received from more than 1 200 companies, organisations, and government bureaux and departments, covering over 1 400 local first degree graduates and nearly 170 local sub-degree graduates.
The EDB has been conducting the survey since 1998 with a view to keeping track of the quality of graduates and employers' views. This survey was the ninth round. Details are available at the Concourse for Self-financing Post-secondary Education webpage (www.cspe.edu.hk/content/resources-surveys).
Ends/Monday, November 28, 2022
Issued at HKT 12:15
Issued at HKT 12:15
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