Date of Conferral
1-8-2025
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Psychology
Advisor
Amy Hakim
Abstract
Vocational readiness for the global workforce requires the development of both academic and nonacademic skills. Antiguan education has focused primarily on the teaching of academic skills. Grounded in Holland’s theory of career choice and Wigfield and Eccles’s interpretation of expectancy-value theory, the purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore perceptions of Human Resource Managers (HRMs) in Antigua on the vocational readiness of post-secondary school graduates. Research questions asked about the perceptions of HRMs in Antigua regarding the vocational readiness of post-secondary school graduates, offerings of tertiary institutions to address the vocational readiness of their students, and the type/quality of vocational services built into the school curriculum. Ten HRMs were interviewed, and responses were coded manually and using NVivo software to identify key themes. The findings indicated that HRMs perceived post-secondary school graduates as lacking practical skills, critical thinking abilities, and work experience despite adequate theoretical knowledge. Misalignment was noted between curriculum offerings of educational institutions and the needs of the labor market. Participants also noted the importance of both employee motivation and societal pressure as impacting individual career choices. The study supports positive social change by informing educators of best practices to ensure that post-secondary school graduates in Antigua are adequately prepared to enter the workforce and possess the skills that will make them employable.
Recommended Citation
Smith, Renee J., "Human Resource Managers’ Perceptions of Vocational Readiness Among Post-Secondary School Students in Antigua" (2025). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 16895.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/16895
