Increasing Employability Through Higher Education In: Other Topics
Increasing Employability Through Higher Education increasing employability through higher education...fact or fiction
Introduction

Whether you.re a recent graduate or are facing the prospects of looking for a job in the near future, there are many factors to consider before entering the job market. Knowing the kind of job you want, getting yourself prepared for the job market, and presenting yourself as a valuable asset would make it easier to obtain a position that will successfully meet the needs of both you and your employer. With globalization taking place and the employment equity act in force the job market has become rather competitive. Now, a person not only has to compete for a job with the different people from his own community or country but also with the people who emigrate from other countries. So what is it that will distinguish you from all your competitors?
This literature review aims at exploring employability and focusing on the link between education and employability to determine whether employability can be increased through higher education.
Defining employability
A report carried out by Hillage and Pollard (1998) for the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) found that.
. Employability is about having the ability to acquire initial employment, keeping employment and acquire new employment if required.
. For an individual, employability depends upon:
1. Assets in terms of knowledge, skills and attitudes,
2. The way these assets are used and deployed,
3. Presentation of assets to potential employers,
4. The context within which the individual works, e.g. labour market, personal circumstances.
Comprehensively, employability is the capability to move self-sufficiently within the labour market to realise potential through sustainable employment. It is about