EFFECT OF COMMUNICATION SKILLS ON GRADUATE EMPLOYMENT IN SELECTED SMALL SCALE ENTERPRISES IN ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

The study examines the effect of communication skills on graduate employment in selected small scale enterprises in Anambra State, Nigeria. The researcher developed two objectives such as to determine the effect of interpersonal skill on graduate employment in selected small scale enterprises in Anambra State, Nigeria. Ascertain the effect of non verbal communication skill on graduate employment in selected small scale enterprises in Anambra State, Nigeria. The research design used for this study is a descriptive study and the cross-sectional survey method was adopted for this study. This enabled the researcher to generate first hand data for the study and for the test of hypotheses. The sources of data for this research were mainly primary data and secondary data. From the directory of industries domiciled in the State Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and a pilot study commissioned by the researcher, 897 of this category of business was identified in the state with following breakdown for the areas being considered: Nnewi – 451; Ontisha – 476 and Awka – 243. We used Taro Yameni’s statistical formula for determining sample size from a finite population which give us 298 as the sample size. The findings of the study revealed that Interpersonal skill by the trainees have significant positive effect on graduate employment generation in Nigeria. Non verbal communication has significant positive effect on graduate employment generation in Nigeria. The study recommends that Students should be encouraged to attend industry events or community gathering, join clubs or groups, volunteer as it provides opportunities to interact with diverse individuals and practice their interpersonal skill in a supportive environment. Students should be taught communication skill to enable them make informed decisions about their finance and manage the financial risks associated with entrepreneurship