Nexus Between Experiential and Academic Learning for Employability Skills in Higher Education Institutions

Abstract

A skilled workforce is crucial to countries' economic transformation. Higher education institutions have been under pressure to promote employability by ensuring learners acquire the 21st century skills needed to succeed in the real world. However, there are still gaps in balancing academic and experiential learning approaches. Using data from selected higher education institutions in Kenya, the chapter examines the perspectives of students and faculty on the nexus between experiential and academic learning for employability skills in higher education institutions. Specifically, the chapter seeks to determine whether the current curriculum incorporates experiential skills alongside academic learning and assess whether students are provided with opportunities to apply academic knowledge in real-world contexts through experiential learning. The findings have significant implications for policy makers, education officers, key stakeholders including trainers, employers and students in ensuring a match between experiential and academic training for employability skills