A Study to Assess Soft Skills of Engineering Graduates in Ernakulam District, Kerala

Abstract

Soft skills has become a buzz word in the corporate world. Soft skills is greatly regarded by top-notch

multinational companies in hiring of employees around the world. This has indeed , raised the bar for

candidates to horn their soft skills alongside academics for a successful career. A survey by Federation

of India commerce and industry revealed 70 percentage of employees lacked soft skills (1) and

97 percentage of engineering candidates lacked communication skills. (7) Statically, speaking candidates

lacked employability skills. The study is primarily focused on engineering graduate (final year) to assess

their soft skills competency. Engineering colleges in Ernakulam district were selected as sample for the basis

of study .The data were collected through survey questionnaire and workshops. Questionnaire comprise

of verbal and non-verbal communication skills ,decision making skills, team work, responsibility, problem

solving skills and willingness to learn. The research helped in Indenification of soft skills gap (employability

skills) among engineering students and at same time to train students to increase their soft skills competence.