DIGITAL COMPETENCE DEVELOPMENT AND EMPLOYABILITY OUTCOMES OF POLYTECHNIC GRADUATES IN NIGERIA: EVIDENCE FROM TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS
Abstract
The rapid digital transformation associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution has significantly reshaped labour market requirements, making digital competence an essential determinant of graduate employability. Consequently, higher education institutions, particularly Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, are increasingly expected to equip graduates with the digital knowledge and practical skills required to thrive in technology-driven workplaces. This study examined the influence of digital competence development on the employability outcomes of polytechnic graduates in Nigeria. Specifically, the study investigated the effects of digital literacy, digital technical skills, digital problem-solving skills, and digital entrepreneurship skills on graduates' employability outcomes. The study was anchored on Human Capital Theory, which posits that investments in education and skills development enhance individuals' productivity and labour market competitiveness. A quantitative cross-sectional survey research design was adopted. The target population comprised graduates, lecturers, and employers from selected Nigerian polytechnics. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select 350 respondents, while data were collected using a structured questionnaire developed from validated constructs in the literature. The instrument was subjected to validity and reliability tests, and the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson Product Moment Correlation, and multiple regression analysis with the aid of IBM SPSS Statistics Version 29 at a 5% level of significance. The study is expected to provide empirical evidence on the role of digital competence in enhancing graduate employability and to contribute to curriculum reform, institutional policy, and industry–institution collaboration aimed at strengthening digital skills development within Nigerian polytechnics and other TVET institutions.