Factors Affecting Employability of Women Graduates in Engineering and Technology Education: Evidence from Ethiopia

Abstract

Employment opportunities for graduates are an important issue. This study has two objectives: analyzing female graduates’ employment participation and investigating the factors affecting women graduates’ employability in engineering and technology education in Ethiopia. Secondary data have been analyzed to establish women graduates’ involvement in STEM employment using graduation and employment data. Primary data were collected from 384 women graduates of engineering and technology education. The Probit model results reveal that the unemployment of engineering and technology graduated women are negatively influenced by communication skills, Academic performance (cumulative GPA), willingness to migrate from one place to another for searching jobs, and non-technical skills. While job preference and marriage impact women’s unemployment positively. Hence, graduated women themselves, the government, and other stakeholders should enhance women graduates’ employment opportunities. Such as graduates must improve their communication skills and non-technical skills, record better grade points, and be ready to go everywhere to find jobs. They must also be prepared to do available work, become an entrepreneur, and decide for late marriage until they have a job. The government must create a channel between universities and firms through teaching with a work placement curriculum, more concern on practical works, approve the peace and security of citizens, and expand infrastructure.