EMBEDDING WORK-INTEGRATED LEARNING IN UNDERGRADUATE COLLEGE-LEVEL CURRICULUM TO ENHANCE EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS AMONG STUDENTS

Work-integrated learning (WIL) is a prominent educational phenomenon that has brought about numerous positive changes in the field of higher education globally. The corporate sector and the governments in the world are seeking 'work-ready' graduates. WIL as an umbrella term includes a variety of strategies and approaches that incorporate theory with the practice of work within a purposefully designed curriculum. WIL makes meaningful, relevant connections to work throughout the curriculum in higher educational contexts which are intricately interwoven with employability skills and enhance these skill sets. Some of the pedagogical approaches adopted in WIL are Practice-based learning, Professional practices, Problem-based learning, Experiential learning, Workplace learning, and Practice-based education. A study adopting an exploratory mixed-method was conducted in Middle East College, Oman including an in-depth survey and interviews with faculty members, graduates, alumni and students at the undergraduate level to determine the efficacy of the contents of the curriculum enhancing Employability Skills of the students. Findings indicate that the curriculum enriched with WIL develops (a) General employability skills and respective requirements of a workplace, (b) Effective communication with colleagues across diverse roles, (c) Attitudes toward working effectively and competently, (d) Enhance academic knowledge and develop transferable skills, (e) Develop an understanding of ethical practices, (f) Build a professional identity and (g) Increase digital literacy skills. Students' WIL experiences were taken into account in designing and implementing curricula related to WIL which are in line with enhancement of employability among students. The results of this research are valuable for practitioners in higher level educational contexts to integrate WIL and employability skills to contribute to global enhancement of these two flourishing phenomena.