From Classroom to Career: How Competency-Based Education Shapes Graduate Employability in Larkana District

Abstract

This quantitative research explored the association between Competency-Based Education (CBE) and employability of graduates in Larkana District, Sindh, Pakistan, where the target population consists of approximately 800,000 people aged 22 years and older. This study measured to establish whether CBE programs are a predictor of graduate employability. Through stratified random sampling, 400 graduates of higher learning institutions were selected. Data was obtained using a validated structured questionnaire, assessing the implementation of CBE and graduate employability. SPSS version 26 was used for statistical analysis, including Pearson correlation, simple leaner regression and descriptive statistics. The findings showed a positive significant correlation between CBE and graduate employability (r = .72, p < .001). The results of regression analysis revealed that the dimensions of CBE account for 58% of the variance in graduate employability (R² = .58, F(4, 395) = 136.42, p < .001).. The results highlighted the importance of competency-based approaches to address the mismatch between education and work in Larkana District and have implications for policymakers, higher education leaders and employers.