Abstract:
This article reports on a nation-wide tracer study conducted by the
Institute for Educational Planning and Administration (IEPA), which
examined how her graduates were utilised by employers in sectors of
the Ghanaian economy. Considering the nature of the research context
and the dearth of information regarding placement and utilisation of
IEPA graduates in the labour market, the concurrent mixed methods
design was employed, whereby qualitative data in the form of insights
from semi-structured open-ended interviews with 16 employers was
elicited for analysis. This was complemented by quantitative data derived
from self-administered questionnaires distributed to 407 IEPA graduates
employees on the purpose of the study. The data from these two sources
were analysed using a thematic approach and descriptive statistics,
respectively, to allow for key lessons, observations and conclusions to
be drawn to the context of the study. The findings show that IEPA
graduates were engaged in leadership, management, administrative
and planning roles/tasks in their respective posts. The findings suggest,
however, that although IEPA graduates performed these roles frequently,
they were utilised in other ‘supplementary tasks/roles’ different from
those they had received professional training and/or qualifications to
perform. Against the backdrop of the findings, the article concludes that
IEPA needs to revise its curricula and modes of training and course
delivery to ensure that she churns out graduates who meet the 21st
century demands and aspirations of her clientele.
