HUMAN CAPITAL INVESTMENT OF GRADUATES IN TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITIES: THE GAP BETWEEN EMPLOYERS’ EXPECTATION AND PERFORMANCE OF GRADUATES

Abstract

This study was conducted to  evaluate the gap between employers’ expectations and respondents’ perception of human capital investment. This research used a combined methodology of quantitative approaches in order to get a general understanding of Human capital investment of graduates of technology universities through evaluation of 505 respondents in Ha Noi Capital in 2017. The research used the questionnaire checklist as the primary instrument for gathering the needed information. The respondents were asked to rate each item using the 5 point rating scale. The results indicated that among the problems in terms of skills, the highest gap between the expectation of score and perception score were group work skills and followed by the research skills. These were crucial skills for students to seek appropriate jobs after they graduated. In terms of knowledge, the highest gap were foreign language ability, followed by practical experience. In the highly comparative market, it is essential for students to get a better job if they are better off using other languages. In addition in terms of ability, the university should concentrate more on improving the ability to resolve situations in real work and understand the social and legal issues which are far below than expected. Furthermore, the progressive will and compliance with labour discipline in an attitude of graduate students should be improved to meet at least the lowest score of employers’ expectation. Therefore, universities should continue to guarantee these skills, knowledge, ability and attitude for future students.