Employment Opportunities for Graduate of Office Technology and Management
Chapter One
Purpose of the study
The main objective of this study is to find out the Employment
Opportunities for Graduates of Office Technology and Management.
Specifically the study will attempt to:
- Evaluate the office equipment for the training of an Office Technology and management Graduates for employment.
- Evaluate the type of training given to an Office Technology and management.
- Find out the skills expected of an Office technology and Management (O.T.M) job seeker
- The impact of office equipment skill on the (O.T.M)
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
INTRODUCTION
This chapter reviews the literature on the office skill competences needed by secretaries for effective Job performance. It discusses issues arising from the topic of interest as viewed from different perspectives, with a view of giving a theoretical and empirical foundation to the study.
LITERATURE REVIEW
The term “secretary” is another term that has a wide meaning and it is important to appreciate the various meanings associated it. According to Whitehead (1994), the secretary is usually thought to be a person who takes dictation from a manager or other senior members of staff and turns the notes into typed correspondence. The term means all sorts of things for many people and certainly many of those who work in offices choose to be under the secretarial umbrella (Harding 1994). As noted by (Edwin, 2008), the roles of secretaries in contemporary times have changed tremendously from the traditional roles. They have access to modern office technology such as the internet, intercom and fax. These technologies make work much easier. Dulek and Fielden (1999) also noted that it is easier to send messages using telex, electronic mails, fax and telephones. He noted that the era of computers and information technology helps users to write and edit and send memos, letters and reports. According to Duniya (2011), modern day offices are equipped with technologically sophisticated gadgets that informs accuracy and efficiency of work output.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is concerned with managing and processing information. This is made possible through the use of electronic computers and computer software to manage information (Okute, 2001). According to Atakpa (2010), secretarial functions the world over have undergone tremendous technical transformations. He noted further that secretarial functions which were previously done manually have been mechanized. On the other hand, Okwuanaso and Obayi (2003) have noted that ICT has posed several challenges to secretaries in the execution of their duties. Supporting this claim, Eze (2000) asserted that any office staff of today that is lacking in Information Communication Technology would find work boring and uninteresting. According to Nwaokwa and Okoli (2012), the introduction of ICT has changed the roles of secretaries. They opined that ICT has influenced the performance of secretaries in delivery of information, accuracy and effectiveness at the work place. Nonye (2013) researching into the need for capacity building of secretaries in modern office technology concluded that secretaries should be abreast of the use of modern office technology and recommended the need for periodic training programmes to be organized for secretaries to update their knowledge on modern office skills. With modern office skills, words, sentences and paragraphs are manipulated. This is made possible using word processor. This makes possible all range of editing options applicable. This makes possibilities for deleting and inserting sentences before they are printed. Designing of documents, filling of forms, retrieving information and finally printing have become simplified tasks with the use of word processors (Agomuo, 2005; Azuka, 2007 and Nwosu, 2002). Examining the effects of information and communication technology on the performance of public sector secretaries, Buseni (2013) asserted that the quality of a secretary is a function of reliable and reporting framework. The study revealed that the use of computer, telecommunication and video techniques positively and significantly affected productivity of public sector secretaries.
Technological changes have tremendously transformed the traditional role of secretaries in offices. The traditional roles include typewriting and shorthand dictation, answering of telephone calls and processing of mails. In recent times, modern secretaries are exposed to high technology such as the internet which simplifies duties and enhance knowledge accessibility (Edwin, 2008). These technologies make it easier to send messages by fax, telex and electronic mails. There are other office equipment that are available to the modern secretary Office technology is the application of scientific knowledge, devices and systems to facilitate and enhance the information processes and delivery of same. It is also viewed as a concept that is associated with office automation, electronic technology and office globalization. Office Technology and Management is a new academic programme in Nigerian tertiary institutions designed to replace the secretarial studies programme. The need to prepare and make students of secretarial studies competent, skillful and employable in the world of work, which is being driven by technological content in the curriculum of erstwhile secretarial studies programme in the nation’s tertiary institutions, gave birth to Office Technology and Management. Thus, in vocational office education, the aim is to provide for our system, the type of teaching/learning situations that focus not on artifacts, but on public knowledge, skills, competencies and reproducible ways.
The secretary is a key member of the management executive team. The most effective secretary is one who is regarded by the board as its trusted advisor, and is at the centre of the co-operative and delivers essential services to ensure the well-being of the co-operative in terms of its legal operation, administration and compliance with corporate governance best practice.
In view of Ile in Eze (2007), information processing in this era of information and communication technology requires the acquisition of new skills such as fast and accurate keyboarding for composition, familiarity with hardware and software, ability to operate computer and also use database, electronic messaging and other communication software. Others include ability to use forecasting software, the skills to use video conferencing system and a brood understanding of different technologies and benefits and problems. In confirmation of this assertion, Agomuo (2001), states that database and word processing operation require new technological skills acquisition. This was based on the fact that modern methods of performing database and word processing task are largely ICT-based. The author identified such skills like: ability to understand and utilize database and word processing application packages, ability to carry out periodic previews and maintenance of database and word processing systems operations. This affirms the assertion that as simple traditional office of the past gives way to make room for its more complex counterpart, new breed of office personnel with new skills will be required.
Katz (2003) classified essential skills into three categories, technical, human and conceptual.
A technical skill is an ability to use a special proficiency or expertise relating to a method, process or procedure. Engineers, attorneys, accountants, computer operators, typist, for example, possess technical skill acquired through formal education. Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) (2008) in National Policy on Education (NPE) recommends the use of technical skill for empowering or preparing youths for the world of work in the Nigerian 24.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitute of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried out to examine the Employment Opportunities for Graduate of Office Technology and Management in Imo State. Selected final year OTM students in Imo state form the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION OF RESULTS
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of hundred and twenty (120) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which 100 were returned. The analysis of this study is based on the number returned.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
Introduction
This chapter summarizes the findings on the employment opportunities for gradate of office technology and management, Imo State as case study. The chapter consists of summary of the study, conclusions, and recommendations.
Summary of the Study
In this study, our focus was on the employment opportunities for gradate of office technology and management, Imo State as case study. The study is was specifically focused on Evaluating the office equipment for the training of an Office Technology and management Graduates for employment, Evaluating the type of training given to an Office Technology and management and investigating the skills expected of an Office technology and Management (O.T.M) job seeker.
The study adopted the survey research design and randomly enrolled participants in the study. A total of 100 responses were validated from the enrolled participants where all respondent are final year OMT students in Imo State.
Conclusions
With respect to the analysis and the findings of this study, the following conclusions emerged;
The study assessed career readiness of graduating OTM students in three polytechnics in south-east Nigeria, based on the extent to which the students possessed the attitudes and skills required for advancing on the OTM career path. The graduating OTM students rated high in ICT and socio-psychological skills, but rated low in managerial skills. Overall, the findings indicated an average career readiness index for the graduating OTM students. Given the observed low level of managerial and entrepreneurial competencies, the study concludes that the OTM programme of Nigerian polytechnics is not yet fully achieving its stated goals in adequately preparing OTM students to fit into their career path in the current world of work. Hence, a need for improvement exists regarding the implementation of the OTM programme in the polytechnics.
Recommendation
Based on the findings the researcher recommends that;
Based on the study findings, it is recommended that the OTM curriculum should be re-evaluated to identify possible causes of skills deficiencies, especially those with a bearing on the managerial proficiency of the OTM students. Modern technologies and tools, such as the stylus pad for taking shorthand dictations, should be provided and adequately incorporated into the training of the OTM students. More emphasis should be placed by the institutions and instructors on the practical aspect of the training and not mere theory. Modern facilities, such as simulators, should be provided for improved effectiveness of teaching and learning of OTM courses in the institutions. Furthermore, monitoring and proper accreditation of the institutions offering OTM programmes, based on the availability of these modern facilities and qualified staff, will enhance the effectiveness of the OTM programme and help teaching and training staff to achieve its objectives. The educational institutions should strengthen their partnership with industries for work-based training of their students. Provision of mentoring programmes in entrepreneurship for the OTM students will facilitate the students’ entrepreneurial skills development and consequently their career readiness. Finally, periodic workshops, awareness campaigns, and regular retraining should be organized for OTM lecturers on how best to impart the 21st- century skills required of their graduates for effective work participation in the knowledge-driven economy.
References
- Abayadeera, N., & Watty, K. (2016). Generic skills in accounting education in a developing country: Exploratory evidence from Sri Lanka. Asian Review of Accounting, 24(2), 149-170. https://doi.org/10.1108/ARA-03-2014-0039
- Abston, K. A., & Soter, H. A. (2020). A professionalism conundrum: Development of business students’ career readiness. Development in Business Simulation Experiential Learning, 47, 266-271.
- Adam, A. K. (2015). The efficacies of secretarial profession by Ghana education service and higher education institutions. Journal of Education and Practice, 6(18), 81-113. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1079710.pdf
- Agbongiasede, E.nE. (2014). Office technology and management curriculum in polytechnics: Appraisal. Nigeria Journal of Business Education, 1(3), 30-36.
- Aliata, M. I., & Hawa, S. A. (2014). Modern office technology and the performance of the professional secretary in contemporary organisation in Ghana. Journal of Information and Knowledge Management, 3(4), 52-57.
- Arowolo, A. A., & Ede, E. O. (2012). Assessment of the e-readiness of technical colleges in teaching and learning of mechanical trades in Lagos State and Abuja (FCT). Moldova: LAP (Lambert Academic Publishing).