Self-assesment instrument for measuring employability skills in chemistry vocational school students: A case study on Volta cell material topics

Employability is a multidimensional construct, which encompasses technical, cognitive, and soft skills collectively improving ability to gain, keep, and advance in jobs. The purpose of this study is to create and validate a self-assessment instrument for measuring employability skills in vocational school students in the chemical engineering field, specifically on Volta Cell Material Topics. This study is part of a three-phase design: We developed an instrument based on the review of available literature and expert input, followed by pilot testing among vocational students, and finally, analysed data using descriptive statistics, skill gap analysis, and machine learning-based feature importance analysis and clustering techniques. Its profile assesses nine critical employability skill domains: communication, teamwork, problem-solving, initiative & entrepreneurship, planning & organizing, self-management, learning, technology, and occupational health & safety (OHS). The second focuses on identifying constructs to be developed, including obtaining increased levels of initiative, entrepreneurial skills, and communication, which indicates the need for purpose-built training programs specifically targeting workforce readiness. Our findings demonstrate the need for structured skills training in employability to be embedded within vocational education curricula, ensuring that students have the skills and competencies to meet the needs of the industry.