A Tracer study of Bachelor of Art Industrial Art Graduates of KNUST: Employability and Performance Appraisal within five years

Abstract

This study evaluates, among others, the employment status, performance and job satisfaction of graduates of the BA Industrial Art programme from 2012 to 2017. The objective is to serve as a guide for programme revision and policy direction to fill curriculum gaps in meeting the expectations of the industry. The study was based on mixed-method research design involving quantitative and qualitative approaches and employs descriptive survey and observational methods through triangulation of questionnaire and interviews. Data collected through questionnaire were analysed with SPSS, whereas thematic analysis was used for data obtained through interviews. The study finds 20% of the 350 sampled population with relevant jobs in their respective fields of study. 45% have no jobs whereas 35% have diverted into other fields due to lack of employment in their areas of specialisation. The need to revise the industrial art programme into job-specific programmes or develop demand-driven programmes to address the needs of industry is highly recommended. This is to make the programme relevant to reflect current best practices towards the training of right calibre of graduates, who will fit into specific positions in the industry for sustainable development of the industrial art subsector.