Effect of technology proficiency on the employability skills of final-year undergraduates

Anam Alia

Authors

Anam Alia University of the Punjab, Lahore

Keywords:

Technology Proficiency, Employability Skills, Social Constructivism, Technology Acceptance

Abstract

The employability rate is significantly dropping in developing countries like Pakistan due to various reasons including lack of technology training in educational settings. Technology-driven workplaces reported that recent graduates lacked employability skills and were unable to adopt the latest technological skills required in the digital job market. The aim of this study was to measure the effect of digital proficiency on employability skills of final-year undergraduates in public educational institutes of Lahore using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). This quantitative study used multistage random sampling to collect data from 560 undergraduates studying in four public universities of Lahore. The data were collected through reliable questionnaires i.e. Technology Proficiency Self-Assessment Questionnaire (TPSA-C-21) (α=.84), and Basic Employability Skills questionnaire (α=.85). The study found positive and moderate relationship between digital proficiency and market employability (r=. 65). The results based on regression analysis indicated that technology proficiency explained 44% of the change in employability skills. In general, this study contributes to understanding how technology proficiency influences respective areas of employability skills differently. The recommendations of the study have also been given.

References

Akaadom, B. W., & Obibi, M. (2023). Self-Proficiency of essential technology skills of undergraduate students at a coastal university in Ghana. European Journal of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, 1(4), 983–993. https://doi.org/10.59324/ejtas.2023.1(4).93

Alshammari, S. H., & Alkhwaldi, A. F. (2025). An integrated approach using social support theory and technology acceptance model to investigate the sustainable use of digital learning technologies. Scientific Reports, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-83450-z

Amin, M. (2025, June 10). Short of structural, bold reforms: Finance experts unpack 2025-26 budget. Dawn News. https://www.dawn.com/news/1916314/short-of-structural-bold-reforms-finance-experts-unpack-2025-26-budget

Asif, M., Pasha, M. A., Mumtaz, A., & Sabir, B. (2023). Causes of youth unemployment in Pakistan. Inverge Journal of Social Sciences, 2(1), 41–50. https://doi.org/10.63544/ijss.v2i1.21

Awadhiya, A. K. (2025). Employability skills in IT sector: What matters most for graduate success? https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewijce52024010

Barra, C., Grimaldi, M., Muazzam, A., Troisi, O., & Visvizi, A. (2024). Digital divide, gender gap, and entrepreneurial orientation: How to foster technology adoption among Pakistani higher education students? Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, 93, 101904. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seps.2024.101904

Bouvier, D. J., Hwang, E. J., & Hwang, Y. (2024). An empirical study on email use, stress, and employee job satisfaction. Human Technology, 20(1), 45–69. https://doi.org/10.14254/1795-6889.2024.20-1.3

Chaw, L. Y., & Tang, C. M. (2023). Exploring the relationship between digital competence proficiency and student learning performance. European Journal of Education, 59(1). https://doi.org/10.1111/ejed.12593

Cheng, M., Adekola, O., Albia, J., & Cai, S. (2021). Employability in higher education: A review of key stakeholders’ perspectives. Higher Education Evaluation and Development, 16(1), 16–31. https://doi.org/10.1108/heed-03-2021-0025

Christensen, R., & Knezek, G. (2016). Validating the technology proficiency self-assessment questionnaire for 21st century learning (TPSA C-21). Journal of Digital Learning in Teacher Education, 33(1), 20–31. https://doi.org/10.1080/21532974.2016.1242391

Davis, F. D. (1989). Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology. MIS Quarterly, 13(3), 319. https://doi.org/10.2307/249008

Feng, J., Yu, B., Tan, W. H., Dai, Z., & Li, Z. (2025). Key factors influencing educational technology adoption in higher education: A systematic review. PLOS Digital Health, 4(4), e0000764. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pdig.0000764

Fidan, M., Debbağ, M., & Çukurbaşı, B. (2020). Technology proficiency self-assessments of teachers becoming professional in the 21st century: A scale adaptation study. Eğitim Ve Öğretim, 10(2), 465–492. https://doi.org/10.14527/pegegog.2020.016

Gangmei, N., & Thomas, K. A. (2025). Teachers’ technology proficiency for quality learning and teaching: A scoping review. International Journal of Educational Reform. https://doi.org/10.1177/10567879251316213

Gelera, R. M. A., Soberano, K. T., & Jacob, B. A. M. (2024). Exploring digital fluency: A study of first-year students’ ICT proficiency. International Journal Of Multidisciplinary Research And Analysis, 07(08). https://doi.org/10.47191/ijmra/v7-i08-30

Gerli, P., Clement, J., Esposito, G., Mora, L., & Crutzen, N. (2022). The hidden power of emotions: How psychological factors influence skill development in smart technology adoption. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 180, 121721. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2022.121721

Habets, O., Stoffers, J., Van Der Heijden, B., & Peters, P. (2020). Am I fit for tomorrow’s labor market? The effect of graduates’ skills development during higher education for the 21st-century labor market. Sustainability, 12(18), 7746. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12187746

Hariyati, M., Nursalim, M., Fitri, R., Heriyanto, N., & Destrianto, M. R. (2025). Applying constructivism principles to enhance digital media literacy in higher education. Khizanah al-Hikmah Jurnal Ilmu Perpustakaan Informasi Dan Kearsipan, 13(1), 86–100. https://doi.org/10.24252/v13i1a7

He, P. (2024). Empirical study on the influence of internet use on the employability of local college students. International Journal of Social Sciences and Public Administration, 4(3), 8–17. https://doi.org/10.62051/ijsspa.v4n3.02

Hu, X., Chiu, M. M., Leung, W. M. V., & Yelland, N. (2021). Technology integration for young children during COVID‐19: Towards future online teaching. British Journal of Educational Technology, 52(4), 1513–1537. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.13106

Humburg, M., & Van Der Velden, R. (2017). What is expected of higher education graduates in the twenty-first century? Oxford University Press eBooks. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199655366.013.10

Javed, A. R., Shahzad, F., Rehman, S. U., Zikria, Y. B., Razzak, I., Jalil, Z., & Xu, G. (2022). Future smart cities: Requirements, emerging technologies, applications, challenges, and future aspects. Cities, 129, 103794. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2022.103794

Jha, N. S. (2025). Integrating experiential learning with technology-enhanced curriculum to address employability skill gaps in higher education. Journal of Information Systems Engineering & Management, 10(45s), 156–174. https://doi.org/10.52783/jisem.v10i45s.8717

John, G. (2025). Changing landscape of job market and the challenges before HEIs. In Routledge eBooks (pp. 84–91). https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003545828-10

Khan, N., Sarwar, A., Chen, T. B., & Khan, S. (2022). Connecting digital literacy in higher education to the 21st-century workforce. Knowledge Management & E-Learning an International Journal, 46–61. https://doi.org/10.34105/j.kmel.2022.14.004

Kiani, K. (2025). Economic Survey 2024-25: Growth stumbles as key targets missed. Dawn News. https://www.dawn.com/news/1916157

Klein, D. C. D., Yarnall, L., & Glaubke, C. (2001). Using technology to assess students’ web expertise. CSE Technical Report 544. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED456155.pdf

Louw, H., Mynhardt, H., & Lubbe, S. (2024). A self-determined learning approach: Enhancing workplace adaptability for overcoming inequality. Business Ethics and Leadership, 8(3), 290–304. https://doi.org/10.61093/bel.8(3).290-304.2024

Lucas, M., Bem‐haja, P., Santos, S., Figueiredo, H., Dias, M. F., & Amorim, M. (2022). Digital proficiency: Sorting real gaps from myths among higher education students. British Journal of Educational Technology, 53(6), 1885–1914. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.13220

Marino, R. J., Capurro, D., & Merolli, M. (2024). Pilot implementation of a telehealth course for health professions students. BMC Medical Education, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-05931-z

Michell, J. (2003). Pragmatism, positivism and the quantitative imperative. Theory & Psychology, 13(1), 45–52. https://doi.org/10.1177/0959354303013001761

Miller, E., & Konstantinou, I. (2021). Using reflective, authentic assessments to embed employability skills in higher education. Journal of Work-Applied Management, 14(1), 4–17. https://doi.org/10.1108/jwam-02-2021-0014

Mohajan, H. K. (2020). Quantitative Research: A successful investigation in natural and social sciences. Journal of Economic Development Environment and People, 9(4). https://doi.org/10.26458/jedep.v9i4.679

Mohammed, F. S., & Ozdamli, F. (2024). A systematic literature review of soft skills in information technology education. Behavioral Sciences, 14(10), 894. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14100894

Mohammed, S. H., & Kinyó, L. (2022). The cross-cultural validation of the technology-enhanced social constructivist learning environment questionnaire in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region. Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41039-022-00199-7

Mumtaz, L., Ali, M., Fatima, A., & Shaikh, F. (2023). Information Communication Technology (ICT) among university students in Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 11(1), 132–143. https://doi.org/10.52131/pjhss.2023.1101.0335

Mustafa, A. S., & Garcia, M. B. (2021). Theories Integrated with Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) in Online Learning Acceptance and Continuance Intention: A Systematic Review (21st ed., pp. 68–72). https://doi.org/10.1109/ot4me53559.2021.9638934

Nadarajah, J. (2021). Measuring the gap in employability skills among Malaysian graduates. International Journal of Modern Trends in Social Sciences, 4(15), 81–87. https://doi.org/10.35631/ijmtss.415007

Nadeem, N. M. A., Sher, N. D. F., & Liaqat, N. S. (2023). Perception of employers about the employability skills of fresh graduates: A case study of Distt. Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. Contemporary Issues in Social Sciences and Management Practices, 2(3), 253–262. https://doi.org/10.61503/cissmp.v2i3.52

Ndibalema, P. (2025). Digital literacy gaps in promoting 21st century skills among students in higher education institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review. Cogent Education, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186x.2025.2452085

Nguyen, Q. N., Mai, V. N., & Hien, N. L. T. D. (2022). Technology acceptance in seeking jobs among university graduates in Vietnam. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJET), 17(20), 49–61. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v17i20.33229

Nikou, S., & Aavakare, M. (2021). An assessment of the interplay between literacy and digital technology in higher education. Education and Information Technologies, 26(4), 3893–3915. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-021-10451-0

Fructuoso, I. N., Albó, L., & Beardsley, M. (2022). University students’ preference for flexible teaching models that foster constructivist learning practices. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 38(4), 22-39. https://doi.org/10.14742/ajet.7968

Ogundipe, O. G., & Oyewole, O. (2025). Technological proficiency and virtual collaboration as predictors of global adaptability among social studies pre-service teachers in Oyo State, Nigeria. African Journal of Social and Behavioural Sciences, 15(1), 166-178.

Pedregosa, A., Jaugan, A., Celiz, R., Tamayo, D. J., Tayco, J. M., & Villamor, K. J. (2025). An empirical correlational investigation of the associations between self-efficacy, digital literacy, and employability among senior college undergraduates. Psychology and Education: A Multidisciplinary Journal, 35(9), 1006–1021. https://doi.org/10.70838/pemj.350904

Peng, J., & Deng, C. (2022). Research on the relationship between college students’ employability and IT skills training based on mixed research methods. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1054134

Pumptow, M., & Brahm, T. (2023). Higher education students differ in their technology use. Computers and Education Open, 5, 100149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeo.2023.100149

Rigopouli, K., Kotsifakos, D., & Psaromiligkos, Y. (2025). Vygotsky’s creativity options and ideas in 21st-century technology-enhanced learning design. Education Sciences, 15(2), 257. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15020257

Saiedi, E., Broström, A., & Ruiz, F. (2020). Global drivers of cryptocurrency infrastructure adoption. Small Business Economics, 57(1), 353–406. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-019-00309-8

Scheuring, F., & Thompson, J. (2024). Enhancing graduate employability: Exploring the influence of experiential simulation learning on life skill development. Studies in Higher Education, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2024.2334837

Singh, A., Singh, H. P., Alam, F., & Agrawal, V. (2022). Role of education, training, and e-learning in sustainable employment generation and social empowerment in Saudi Arabia. Sustainability, 14(14), 8822. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14148822

Soproni, Z. (2023). Employability skills. GiLE Journal of Skills Development, 3(2), 53–65. https://doi.org/10.52398/gjsd.2023.v3.i2.pp53-65

Suryakant, D., N. (2025). Constructivist 5E approach to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and challenges in education. International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), 14(3), 1224–1228. https://doi.org/10.21275/sr25324135815

Taylor, A. (2018). The impact of employability on technology acceptance in students: findings from Coventry University London. Journal of Pedagogic Development, 8(3). https://uobrep.openrepository.com/uobrep/handle/10547/622936

Tee, P. K., Wong, L. C., Dada, M., Song, B. L., & Ng, C. P. (2024). Demand for digital skills, skill gaps and graduate employability: Evidence from employers in Malaysia. F1000 Research, 13, 389. https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.148514.1

Tushar, H., & Sooraksa, N. (2023). Global employability skills in the 21st century workplace: A semi-systematic literature review. Heliyon, 9(11), e21023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21023

Virtanen, A., & Tynjälä, P. (2021). Pedagogical practices predicting perceived learning of social skills among university students. International Journal of Educational Research, 111, 101895. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2021.101895

Vygotsky, L. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. https://ci.nii.ac.jp/ncid/BA03570814