A study of skills gap assessment between computer program graduates and industries of Bangladesh: Software industries perception

Abstract

The skills gap between graduates of computer science programmes and the software industry in Bangladesh poses obstacles to graduates' employability and career prospects. This study sought to investigate the skills gap by examining the perceptions of industry professionals regarding computer science programme graduates' knowledge curricula, emotional and attitudinal aspects, and perceived skill. In addition, hypotheses regarding the direct and indirect effects of these factors were tested. Using structural equation modelling (SEM), the study assessed the reliability and validity of the research model by analysing data collected from industry professionals and graduates. The findings disclosed a number of noteworthy insights. First, there was a significant positive correlation between knowledge curricula and the skills perceived by graduates of computer science programmes. This highlights the significance of aligning curricula with industry demands in order to increase the employability of graduates. Second, the study found no correlation between knowledge curricula and emotional and behavioural factors. This indicates that curricula may not substantially affect the emotional and behavioural characteristics of graduates. To address the skills divide comprehensively, additional factors, including work experience and practical skills, should be considered. In addition, the study failed to discover a significant correlation between attitudes and perceived skill. This suggests that attitudes may not play a significant role in determining the perceived capabilities of graduates of computer science programmes. The study concluded that emotional and attitude factors do not mediate the relationship between knowledge curriculum and perceived competence. This suggests that additional variables should be investigated to determine the factors that contribute to the skills divide. Several implications and recommendations were proposed based on the findings. It is essential for educational institutions and the software industry to collaborate in order to develop curricula that meet industry needs. In addition, graduates should be encouraged to cultivate emotional intelligence and positive attitudes to increase their employability. Additional research is required to investigate other possible factors that contribute to the skills divide and to develop interventions to address these factors. This study sheds light on the skills disparity between Bangladeshi graduates of computer science programmes and the software industry. The findings and recommendations provide stakeholders, including computer science graduates, educators, and industry professionals, with valuable insights for bridging the divide and increasing the employability of computer science graduates