The reality of the Workplace

Abstract

Graduate employment brings with it expectations. Graduates expect that their long years of study will lead to better employment opportunities and job satisfaction. Their parents expect them to be several steps up the career ladder. Employers expect money spent on recruiting graduates will bring them quality employees. The government expects graduates to have developed “going to work” skills. Universities expect that the quality of their graduates will enhance the university's reputation for excellence. If such great expectations attach to tertiary education, why do we hear so many criticisms, expressions of dissatisfaction, disillusionment and frustration from all sectors? After considering what graduates and employers expect of one another and what skills will be expected of graduates in the future, this paper suggests how education for the workplace might assist students in the transition from university to workplace and deliver ongoing self-reliance skills.