Employment Tracer Study of Technology Education University Graduates in Anambra State

Abstract

This employment tracer study of technology education university graduates’ career trajectories in Anambra State, specifically examined the employment status, sectoral absorption, and career challenges of technology education graduates from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, between 2010/2011 and 2019/2020. Adopting a descriptive research design, data were collected from the entire population of 195 graduates using a validated and reliable questionnaire (Cronbach’s α = 0.824–0.887) distributed via Google Forms. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics with the help of SPSS version 25. Findings indicated that employment outcomes varied by specialization: Electrical/Electronic Technology graduates were predominantly wage-employed, Building/Woodwork Technology graduates were mostly self-employed, and Mechanical/Automobile Technology graduates exhibited mixed outcomes. Recent cohorts (2016/2017–2019/2020) recorded higher employment rates, with most initial jobs found in the private sector, particularly in educational institutions, industrial firms, and entrepreneurial ventures. Lead times to employment ranged from immediate placement to over a year, with significant challenges including job scarcity, skill–job mismatch, delayed academic documentation, and limited financial resources for job search. The study concluded that specialization, graduation year, and sectoral dynamics significantly influenced employability, with private sector absorption and entrepreneurship playing key roles. It recommended specialization-specific job fairs, strengthened industry–academia linkages, curriculum audits, timely academic documentation, and structured graduate tracking systems to improve school-to-work transitions and align training with labour market demands.