Enhancing IT Graduates’ Employability Skills for Surviving in New Normal: Perspective of IT Professionals

This research focused on how Information Technology (IT) Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) contribute to equip IT graduate employability, from the perspective of IT industry experts in Sri Lanka. The research further identifies the mismatches between IT HEIs’ contributions to equip IT graduate employability and the industry demands after COVID 19 in Sri Lanka. Thirteen semi structured interviews were conducted via zoom platform with the industry experts representing major IT companies in Sri Lanka. The interview protocol was designed to get the expert opinion about the contribution which HEIs can make to equip future graduates with necessary employability skills in general and specifically in the new normal. According to key findings of the study, providing opportunities for industrial experience, sharing technical and practical knowledge, up-to-date syllabus, firm foundation of knowledge, trainings on online platforms and tools, developing soft skills and remote working skills of graduates such as trustworthiness, minimum supervision, stress management, self-driven, attitude, team spirit, ability to take challenges and responsibilities were identified as the areas in which HEIs could contribute towards creating smart IT graduates with a digital presence ready to be employed in new normal. The outcome of this study will strengthen HEIs with necessary requirements to upgrade their IT education quality and quantity wise as then graduates can meet industry expectations for better employability.