The Role of General Competences on Employability and Socio-Cultural Adaptation among Graduate Students Working Abroad
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| Title: | The Role of General Competences on Employability and Socio-Cultural Adaptation among Graduate Students Working Abroad |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Nerea Hernaiz-Agreda (ORCID |
| Source: | International Journal of Training and Development. 2026 30(1):68-81. |
| Availability: | Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 14 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Competence, Employment Potential, Adjustment (to Environment), Graduate Students, Overseas Employment, Foreign Countries, Acculturation |
| Geographic Terms: | Spain, United Kingdom, Germany, Poland |
| DOI: | 10.1111/ijtd.70008 |
| ISSN: | 1360-3736 1468-2419 |
| Abstract: | Including general competence training in university degrees can enhance graduate students' employability. However, little research has examined how general competences fostered in university curricula can positively contribute to increased employability among graduates moving to other countries. This study therefore aims to suggest an empirically-based theoretical model of competences and employability in a foreign cultural and language context. A structural equation model was used to analyse a questionnaire completed by 336 Spanish education graduates working in the UK, Germany, Poland and Spain. The results show that graduates' employability is perceived to be higher abroad than in their home country, and that general competences are transferred and used equally well by graduate students abroad. Furthermore, a high perception of employability helps reduce the difficulties of socio-cultural adaptation. The tested structural equation model suggests that general competences increase employability and reduce the difficulties of socio-cultural adaptation among graduates working abroad. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1496391 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Including general competence training in university degrees can enhance graduate students' employability. However, little research has examined how general competences fostered in university curricula can positively contribute to increased employability among graduates moving to other countries. This study therefore aims to suggest an empirically-based theoretical model of competences and employability in a foreign cultural and language context. A structural equation model was used to analyse a questionnaire completed by 336 Spanish education graduates working in the UK, Germany, Poland and Spain. The results show that graduates' employability is perceived to be higher abroad than in their home country, and that general competences are transferred and used equally well by graduate students abroad. Furthermore, a high perception of employability helps reduce the difficulties of socio-cultural adaptation. The tested structural equation model suggests that general competences increase employability and reduce the difficulties of socio-cultural adaptation among graduates working abroad. |
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| ISSN: | 1360-3736 1468-2419 |
| DOI: | 10.1111/ijtd.70008 |
