Evaluation of a training programme to foster employability skills in professional training: a case study

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this work is to evaluate the effectiveness of a training programme for developing employability skills, including digital competency and soft skills (problem-solving, teamwork, adaptability, leadership, decision-making and creativity), in professional-training programmes.

Design/methodology/approach

It presents a case study where students from a professional training centre were evaluated twice, before and after doing the programme. The results from both were compared to determine whether there have been improvements. We also analysed whether there were differences by gender in the pretest and the posttest.

Findings

We observed that most of the students improved in both digital competency and in soft skills after completing the programme. In the case of digital competency, greater improvement was apparent in the areas of collaboration and communication and in digital content creation. Similar results were found for all competencies in the case of soft skills.

Originality/value

This learning programme had a positive impact on the competency development of professional-training students. Continuous training and advice for teachers and personalized monitoring during the implementation of this programme resulted in an apparent improvement in students’ employability skills.

Citation

Sánchez Ramírez, J.M., Iñigo, V., Marcano, B. and Romero-García, C. (2024), "Evaluation of a training programme to foster employability skills in professional training: a case study", Education + Training, Vol. 66 No. 6, pp. 692-715. https://doi.org/10.1108/ET-02-2023-0037