An Exploratory Study on the Employers\u27 Perceptions of ICT Graduate work-readiness

Drawing on information gathered from scoping interviews with graduate recruiters and industry experts in Australia, this study extends our understanding of how employers, rather than researchers, describe the desired work-ready skills for graduate/entry level roles in the Australian information and communication technology (ICT) industry. Contrary to the developing literature on work-readiness, the findings showed that the skills which contribute to work-readiness should not be limited to field-specific knowledge, skills and cognitive skills, but that they should be extended to include affective skills or personal attributes and behaviors, such as selfefficacy, willingness to learn, disposition, tolerance and integrity. Results have practical implications for developing academic programs aimed at enhancing cognitive and affective skills among IT graduates for employment potential and successful transition into work