WORKPLACE SKILL GAPS AND PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY OF EMPLOYEES AT ACHIEVERS UNIVERSITY

The growing global focus on workforce competency has heightened concerns about skills gaps and their implications for organizational performance. This study investigates the skills gap and its impact on workforce performance at Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria. It explores the misalignment between employees' existing skills and the competencies required for optimal institutional performance. Adopting a mixed-method research design, the study integrates quantitative and qualitative approaches. A stratified random sampling technique was employed to select 224 respondents from a total population of 623 academic and non-academic staff. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Descriptive analysis and regression modeling were used to interpret the findings. The results indicate that key competencies for optimal workforce performance include continuous learning and professional development (X̄ = 4.30), technical skills (X̄ = 4.33), time management (X̄ = 4.34), adaptability to technological changes (X̄ = 4.29), and communication skills (X̄ = 4.24). However, significant deficiencies were identified in areas such as digital literacy, innovative teaching methodologies, administrative efficiency, and research competencies. The study establishes a strong negative correlation between skills gaps and workforce performance (β = -0.210, p < 0.05), highlighting their adverse effects on teaching quality, research output, and institutional growth. To bridge these gaps, the study recommends targeted capacity-building programs, strengthened industry-academia collaboration, and strategic curriculum reforms. These interventions are critical for enhancing workforce effectiveness and sustaining academic excellence in higher educational institutions.