The Role of Soft Skills and Short Courses in Enhancing Career Improvement and Job Readiness among University Graduates in Somaliland
Abstract:
The transition from university to employment remains a critical challenge for graduates in developing nations, particularly in post-conflict contexts such as Somaliland. While technical competencies are emphasised in higher education, soft skills development and participation in short professional courses are often neglected. This study investigated the role of soft skills and short courses in enhancing career improvement and job readiness among graduates from three universities in Hargeisa, Somaliland. A descriptive research design with a mixed-methods approach was employed. A sample of 150 graduates (50 from each university) from the Class of 2025 was selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and semi-structured interviews and analysed using SPSS version 26. Graduates demonstrated low overall soft skills (M = 2.28 on a 5-point scale), with leadership (M = 1.95) and critical thinking (M = 2.08) the lowest. A significant positive correlation was found between soft skills and job readiness (r = 0.682, p < 0.01). While 36.7% had not attended short courses, participants reported better employment outcomes (44.2% vs. 16.4%). A moderate positive correlation was found between short course participation and career improvement (r = 0.548, p < 0.01). The majority (68.0%) were unemployed, with 78.7% attributing this to insufficient soft skills. Soft skills and short courses significantly enhance graduate employability. Higher education institutions must integrate soft skills training into curricula, and coordinated interventions are needed to address the employability crisis.References:
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