ENGINEERING GRADUATES IN KERALA: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Аннотация

This article examines the challenges and opportunities faced by engineering graduates in Kerala, India. With the rapid growth of engineering education in the state, it is essential to understand the factors that influence the employability and career prospects of engineering graduates. A mixed-methods approach was employed, including interviews, focus group discussions, and surveys, to gather data from engineering graduates, employers, and educational institutions. The study identified challenges such as a lack of industry-relevant skills, limited practical training opportunities, intense job market competition, and a gap between industry expectations and educational curriculum. However, the research also revealed significant opportunities in the booming IT sector, government entrepreneurship initiatives, and potential for research and development activities. The findings have implications for policymakers, educational institutions, and graduates themselves to enhance the employability and address the challenges faced by engineering graduates in Kerala. KEYWORDS Engineering graduates, Kerala, challenges, opportunities, employability, career prospects, industry relevance, practical training, job market, industry expectations, curriculum, IT sector, entrepreneurship, research and development.