Experimental Learning and Development of Employability Skills among Postgraduate Students in the Faculty of Education, Rivers State University, Nigeria.

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between Experimental learning and the Development of Employability Skills among postgraduate students in the Faculty of Education, Rivers State University. It was guided by two research questions and two null hypotheses. A correlational research design was employed, with a population of 840 postgraduate students (2025 set) from Rivers State University. A sample size of 271 students. Consisting of 200 master's students and 71 Doctor of Philosophy students were used for the study, using Taro Yamene to determine the size. The research utilised an instrument titled the “Experimental Learning (EL) and Employability Skills among Postgraduate Students in the Faculty of Education, Rivers State University (ESAASFRSU) Questionnaire." This instrument was structured on a four-point rating scale and validated by experts. The reliability of the instrument was assessed using Cronbach's Alpha statistics, yielding reliability indexes of 0.71 for both sections. A total of 271 questionnaires were administered, retrieved, and subsequently used for data analysis. Research questions were analysed using Pearson Product-Moment Correlation, while the null hypotheses were tested using t-transformation statistics at a significance level of 0.05. The findings revealed that internship learning and fieldwork learning have a significant relationship with graduate employability skills at Rivers State University. Based on these findings, it was suggested that to enhance students' hands-on learning, the government should establish workshop centres for internship education in universities.