Competencies preferred by employers of interior design graduates in Kenya
Abstract
The changing nature of today's workplace has created new challenges for interior design
professionals relating to the employability of recent interior design graduates. Frogner (2002, pg.
18). The pervasive influence of technology has significantly influenced the business and
economic climate forcing business to change its very culture. Observing the incessant changes in
the society, (Seligson, 2000) compares the categorizing of curriculum and careers to a snapshot
from a moving picture. A need for graduates that are technically competent, with a broad range
of skills for employability has become imminent, Frogner (2002, pg. 18).
The task of identifying the priority skills identified as competencies sought by employers for
employability of interior design graduates was the focus of this study. The key research question
was "What are the preferred key skills identified as competencies that employers seek when
employing new interior design graduates?"). A random sample of 70 interior design practitioners
practicing in Kenya, majorly Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu, was selected. Data collection
involved use of focus group discussions and questionnaires developed for the study. Data
analysis consisted of using a two-sided t-test for significance set at 0.05 levels to identify
competencies deemed important by the responding interior design practitioners. Any variable
having mean of 3.00 or higher Indicated that the respondents considered the variable important
in the four categories of competencies, as identified in the instrument.
Preliminary discussions with interior design employers and graduates indicated a pivotal cause
for concern, regarding competencies of interior design graduates pertinent to their employability.
There are consequences faced when graduates Lack competencies sought by employers. Frogner
(2002 pg. 18). In Kenya, There is no study to date know to the researcher, which documents the
employers’ preferred competencies in interior design graduates, thus the need and the inspiration
for this research. Findings will benefit the industry and prospective employees.
Publisher
University of Nairobi