A Conceptual Framework of Graduate Employability: Integrating University and TVET Pathways

Abstract

Graduate employability has emerged as a critical concern for higher education systems worldwide, particularly in contexts characterised by rapid labour market transformation and increasing graduate supply. This study examines the key factors determining employability among university and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) graduates, with a particular focus on employment outcomes, skills alignment, and institutional influences. Drawing on established employability frameworks, the paper conceptualises employability as a multidimensional construct shaped by field-specific competencies, transferable skills, academic performance, internship experience, and institutional reputation. Using a cross-sectional research design, data are collected from two consecutive cohorts of graduates (2024 and 2025) through a structured tracer-study questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential analyses are employed to examine job placement patterns, time to first employment, the relevance of academic performance, and the degree of alignment between graduates’ first employment and their field of study. By integrating perspectives from both university and TVET pathways, the study contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of graduate employability in developing and emerging economies. The findings are expected to provide policymakers, higher education institutions, and training providers with empirical insights for designing targeted interventions to enhance curriculum relevance, strengthen industry engagement, and improve graduates’ transition into the labour market.