Issue

Vol. 18 No. 1 (2020): Journal of Higher Education in Africa: Special Issue on The Politics of Knowledge Production in Africa

5 - Skills or Credentials? Comparing the Perspectives of Degree- and Non-degree-holding Ghanaian Graduates on the Value of Higher Education

https://doi.org/10.57054/jhea.v18i1.1455
Nana Akua Anyidoho

Corresponding Author(s) : Nana Akua Anyidoho

anyidoho@ug.edu.gh

Journal of Higher Education in Africa, Vol. 18 No. 1 (2020): Journal of Higher Education in Africa: Special Issue on The Politics of Knowledge Production in Africa

Abstract

The massification of higher education, fuelled in part by demand from young people and their families, has coincided with more competition in the graduate labour market. This article seeks insight into the interpretative framework through which graduates view the relationship between higher education and the labour market. Specifically, given evidence of diminishing employment opportunities for graduates, the study examines the relative strengths of human capital theory and credentialism in explaining the value that young people continue to place on higher education. Using survey data from a sample of 2,036 Ghanaian higher education graduates, the article investigates the relative value students accord to skills and credentials through analysis of two self-report measures: satisfaction with their higher education experience, and, second, labour market expectations in respect of employment and income. Overall, non-degree holders self-assessed as having more skills training. Nonetheless, degree-holders generally were more satisfied with their educational achievements and had higher labour market expectations than those without degrees. These findings imply that young people value higher education less in terms of the skills they acquire and more in regards to the face-value of the qualifications they obtain, indicating a credentialist perspective that is in marked contrast to the human capital approach which undergirds policymaking on higher education in Ghana and much of the African continent.

Keywords

Skill Credential Holding Ghanaian graduates Higher Education
Anyidoho, N. A. (2022). 5 - Skills or Credentials? Comparing the Perspectives of Degree- and Non-degree-holding Ghanaian Graduates on the Value of Higher Education. Journal of Higher Education in Africa, 18(1), 67–91. https://doi.org/10.57054/jhea.v18i1.1455
Download Citation
Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS)
BibTeX
References
  1. Abu-Laban, B. and Abu-Laban, S.M., 1976, ‘Education and development in the Arab World’, The Journal of Developing Areas, Vol. 10, pp. 285–304.
  2. Acquah, R., 2016, ‘Opinion: Why Ghanaian graduates can’t find jobs’, CitiFM News. (https://citifmonline.com/2015/12/opinion-why-ghanaian-graduates-cant-find-jobs/). 16 June 2021.
  3. Addae-Mensah, I., 2000, ‘Education in Ghana: a tool for social mobility or social stratification?’, in The J.B. Danquah Memorial Lectures of the Ghana Academic of Arts and Sciences, Accra: Ghana Academic of Arts and Sciences.
  4. Adu-Amoah, A., 2008, ‘The relevance of tertiary education programmes to industry and commerce’, presented at the 59th Annual New Year School held by the Institute of Adult Education, 3–10 January 2008, University of Ghana, Legon.
  5. Afrobarometer, 2012, ‘Economic and social conditions of Ghanaians: What the Afrobarometer says’. (https://afrobarometer.org/press/economic-and-social-conditions-ghanaians-what-afrobarometer-says). 16 June 2021.
  6. Ahlman, J.S., 2012, ‘A new type of citizen: Youth, gender, and generation in the Ghanaian Builders Brigade’, Journal of African History, Vol. 53, No. 1, pp. 87–105. (https://doi.org/10.1017/S0021853712000047). 3 August 2021.
  7. Ajayi, J.F.A., Goma, L.K.H. and Johnson, A.G., 1996, The African experience with higher education, Accra: Association of African Universities.
  8. Ajayi, K. and Anyidoho, N.A., 2021, ‘Self-employment preferences among univer- sity graduates in Ghana: goes gender make a difference?’, Development Policy Review. (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dpr.12562). 16 June 2021.
  9. Amaniampong, K., 2014, ‘Importance of Polytechnic Education and the Chal- lenges it faces’, Daily Graphic. (https://www.modernghana.com/news/539279/importance-of-polytechnic-education-and-the-challe.html). 3 August 2021.
  10. Anyidoho, N.A., 2014, ‘Education’ in Ghana Social Development Outlook 2014, Legon: Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), University of Ghana.
  11. Anyidoho, N.A., 2019, ‘Education’, in Ghana Social Development Outlook 2018, Legon: Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), University of Ghana.
  12. Anyidoho, N.A. and Adomako Ampofo, A., 2017, ‘Informalising the formal: the conditions of female agency workers in Ghana’s banking sector’, Contemporary Journal of African Studies, Vol. 4, No. 2, pp. 67–92.
  13. Anyidoho, N.A., Kpessa-Whyte, M. and Asante, E., 2013, ‘Education’, in Ghana Social Development Outlook 2012, Legon: Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), University of Ghana.
  14. Aryeetey, E., and Baah-Boateng, W., 2016, ‘Understanding Ghana’s growth success story and job creation challenges’, WIDER Working Paper 2015/140, UNU- WIDER.
  15. Assie-Lumumba, N. T., 2006, Higher education in Africa: crises, reforms and trans- formation, Dakar: Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA).
  16. Baah, A.Y., 2007, Youth employment in Ghana: a survey of views of final-year university students on employment opportunities in the Ghanaian labour market, Legon: Ghana Trades Union Congress.
  17. Baah, A.Y. and Achamoka, K.A., 2007, Youth employment in Ghana: policies and trade Union Initiatives, Geneva: International Labour Organization.
  18. Baah-Boateng, W., 2003, ‘Poverty, informality and employment’, in Clara Osei- Boateng and Edward Ampratwum, eds., The State of the Ghanaian Economy, Legon: Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER).
  19. Baah-Boateng, W., 2015, ‘Unemployment in Ghana: a cross sectional analysis from demand and supply perspectives’, African Journal of Economic and Management Studies, Vol. 6, No. 4, pp. 402–415.
  20. Baah-Boateng, W., 2016, ‘The youth unemployment challenge in Africa: what are the drivers?’, The Economic and Labour Relations Review, Vol. 27, No. 4, pp. 413–431.
  21. Baah-Boateng, W. and Ewusi, K., 2013, ‘Employment: policies and options’, in Poli- cies and options for Ghana’s economic development, 3rd edition, Accra: Institute of Statistical Social and Economic Research (ISSER), University of Ghana.
  22. Bawakyillenuo, S., Akoto, I. O., Ahiadeke, C., Bortei-Doku Aryeetey, E. and Agbe, E.K., 2013, ‘Tertiary education and industrial development in Ghana’, IGC Working Paper, London: International Growth Centre. (https://www.theigc.org/project/tertiary-education-and-industrial-development-in-ghana/). 16 June 2021.
  23. Bourdieu, P., 1986, ‘The Forms of Capital’, in John G. Richardson, ed., Handbook of Theory and Research for the Sociology of Education, New York: Greenwood Press, pp. 241–258.
  24. Brown, D.K., 2001, ‘The social sources of educational credentialism: status cultures, labor markets, and organizations’, Sociology of Education, Vol. 74, No. 2001, pp. 19–34.
  25. Brown, P. and Hesketh, A., 2004, The mismanagement of talent, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  26. Cieslik, M. and Simpson, D., 2013, Key concepts in youth studies, London; Thousand Oaks, California: SAGE Publications Ltd.
  27. Costea, B., Amiridis, K. and Crump, N., 2012, ‘Graduate employability and the principle of potentiality: an aspect of the ethics of HRM’, Journal of Business Ethics, Vol. 111, No. 1, pp. 25–36.
  28. Dasmani, A., 2011, ‘Challenges facing technical institute graduates in practical skills acquisition in the Upper East Region of Ghana’, Asia-Pacific Journal of Cooperative Education. (https://www.ijwil.org/files/APJCE_12_2_67_77.pdf ). 16 June 2021.
  29. De Graaf, W., and Van Zenderen, K., 2013, ‘School-work transition: the interplay between institutional and individual processes’, Journal of Education and Work, Vol. 26, No. 2, pp. 121–42. (https://doi.org/10.1080/13639080.2011.638622). 6 August 2021.
  30. Ghana News Agency, 2012, ‘Ghanaians rank education topmost priority in election 2012 – NCEE Survey’. (https://www.ghanabusinessnews.com/2012/11/11/ghanaians-rank-education-topmost-priority-in-election-2012-ncce-survey/). 3
  31. August 2021.
  32. GhanaWeb, 2016, ‘Conversion of polytechnics to technical universities cosmetic exercise – Prof. Adei’.(https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Conversion-of-Polytechnics-to-Technical-Universities-cosmetic-exercise-Prof-Adei-458095). 10 June 2021.
  33. Harvey, L., 2000, ‘New realities: The relationship between higher education and employment’, Tertiary Education and Management, Vol. 6, No. 1, pp. 3–17.
  34. Harvey, L., 2005, ‘Embedding and integrating employability’, New Directions for Institutional Research, Vol. 128, pp. 13–28.
  35. Honwana, A.M., 2012, The time of youth: work, social change, and politics in Africa, Sterling, Va: Kumarian Press.
  36. ILO, 2010, Global employment trends, Geneva: International Labour Organization.
  37. Ismail, O., 2016, ‘What is in a job? The social context of youth employment issues in Africa’, Journal of African Economies, Vol. 25, Supp. 1, pp. i37–i60.
  38. Kingston, P.W., Hubbard, R., Lapp, B., Schroeder, P. and Wilson, J., 2003, ‘Why education matters’, Sociology of Education, Vol. 76, No. 1, p. 53.
  39. Kreber, C., 2006, ‘Setting the context: The climate of university teaching and learn- ing’, New Directions for Higher Education, Vol. 133, pp. 5–11.
  40. Jonasson, J.T., 2006, ‘Can credentialism help to predict a convergence of institutions and systems of higher education?’, paper presented at Consortium of Higher Education Researchers 19th Annual Conference, University of Kassel, Germany, 1–9 September 2006.
  41. Leavy, J. and Smith, S., 2010, ‘Future farmers: youth aspirations, expectations and life choices’, Future Agricultures Discussion Paper, Vol. 13, pp. 1–15.
  42. Lord, J., 2011, ‘Child labor in the Gold Coast: the economics of work, education, and the family in late-colonial African childhoods, c. 1940–57’, The Journal of the History of Childhood and Youth, Vol. 4, No. 1, pp. 88–115.
  43. Mahama, S., Silbereisen, R.K. and Eccles, J.S., 2013, ‘Perceived work uncertainties and expectancy-value as predictors of postgraduate intentions’, Journal of Psychol- ogy in Africa, Vol. 23, No. 3, pp. 25–32.
  44. Marginson, S., 2016, ‘The worldwide trend to high participation higher education: dynamics of social stratification in inclusive systems’, Higher Education, Vol. 72, No. 4, pp. 413–434.
  45. Mincer, J., 1974, Schooling, Experience and Earnings, New York: Columbia University Press. Ministry of Education, 2014, Report of the Technical Committee on Conversion of the Polytechnics in Ghana to Technical Universities, Accra: Ministry of Education,
  46. Government of Ghana.
  47. Montenegro, C.E., and Patrinos, H.A., 2014, ‘Comparable estimates of returns to schooling around the world’, Policy Research Working Paper 7020, Washington, DC: Education Global Practice Group, World Bank.
  48. Morley, L., Leach, F., and Lugg, R., 2009, ‘Democratising higher education in Ghana and Tanzania: Opportunity structures and social inequalities’, International Journal of Educational Development, Vol. 29, No. 1, pp. 56–64. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2008.05.001). 3 August 2021.
  49. Moreau, M.P., and Leathwood, C., 2006, ‘Graduates’ employment and the discourse of employability: a critical analysis’, Journal of Education and Work, Vol. 19, No. 4, pp. 305–324.
  50. Nunyonameh, C.R., 2016, ‘Converting the polytechnics: technical universities or inferior universities? ’, GhanaWeb. (https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/features/Converting-the-Polytechnics-Technical-universities-or-inferior- universities-432265). 16 June 2021.
  51. Psacharopoulos, G., 1973, Returns to Education: An International Comparison, Am- sterdam: Elsevier.
  52. Psacharopoulos, G. and Patrinos, H.A., 2018, ‘Returns to investment in education: a decenial review of the global literature’, Education Economics, Vol. 26, No. 5, pp. 445–458.
  53. Purcell, K., Morley, M. and Rowley, G., 2002, Employers in the new graduate labour market: recruiting from a wider spectrum of graduates, Bristol: CIHE/ESRU.
  54. Raffe, D., 2014, ‘Explaining national differences in education-work transitions’, European Societies, Vol. 16, No. 2, pp. 175–193.
  55. Rosenberg, M., 1965, Society and the adolescent self-image, Princeton: Princeton University Press.
  56. Samoff, J. and Carrol, B., 2003, ‘From manpower planning to the knowledge era: World Bank policies on higher education in Africa’, UNESCO Forum Occasional Paper Series Paper no. 2.(https://www.researchgate.net/publication/44836928_ From_manpower_planning_to_the_knowledge_era_World_Bank_policies_on_higher_education_in_Africa). 3 August 2021.
  57. Schmitt, D.P. and Allik, J., 2005, ‘Simultaneous administration of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale in 53 Nations: exploring the universal and culture-specific features of global self-esteem’, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Vol. 89, No. 4, pp. 623–642.
  58. Structural Adjustment Participatory Review Initiative [SAPRI], 2001, ‘The impact of SAP on access to and quality of tertiary education’, draft, Accra: National Tripartite Committee.
  59. Tagoe, M., 2009, ‘The relevance of university education and fears of unemployment perceptions of university students making transitions to the world of work in Ghana’, in R. Brooks, ed., Transitions from education to work: new perspectives from Europe and beyond, Basingstoke, New York: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 113–135.
  60. Teferra, D. and Altbach, P.G., 2004, ‘African higher education: challenges for the 21st century’, Higher Education, Vol. 47, pp. 20–50.
  61. te Lintelo, D., 2011, ‘Youth and policy processes’, Working Paper 025, Brighton: Future Agricultures Consortium.
  62. Tholen, G., 2017, ‘Symbolic closure: towards a renewed sociological perspec- tive on the relationship between higher education, credentials and the graduate labour market’, Sociology, Vol. 51, No. 5, pp. 1067–83. https://doi.org/10.1177/0038038516641857.
  63. Tomlinson, M., 2007, ‘Graduate employability and student attitudes and orientations to the labour market’, Journal of Education and Work, Vol. 20, No. 4, pp. 285–304.
  64. Tomlinson, M., 2008, ‘“The degree is not enough”: students’ perceptions of the role of higher education credentials for graduate work and employability’, British Journal of Sociology of Education, Vol. 29, No. 1, pp. 49–61.
  65. Tsikata, D. and Darkwah, A.K., 2013, ‘Work and employment’, in Ghana Social Development Outlook 2012, Legon: Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), University of Ghana.
  66. Tymon, A., 2013, ‘The student perspective on employability’, Studies in Higher Education, Vol. 38, No. 6, pp. 841–856.
  67. UNECA, 2009, Africa Youth Report, Addis Ababa: United Nations Economic Com- mission for Africa.
  68. Wilton, N., 2011, ‘Do employability skills really matter in the UK graduate labour market? The case of business and management graduates’, Work, Employment & Society, Vol. 25, No. 1, pp. 85– 100.
  69. World Bank, 2007, World Development Report, Washington DC: The World Bank. World Bank, 2021, Higher Education. (https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/tertiaryeducation). 6 August 2021.
Read More

Author Biography

Nana Akua Anyidoho

Associate Professor and Director, Centre for Social Policy Studies, University of Ghana. Email: anyidoho@ug.edu.gh

Download
PDF
Statistic
Read Counter : 358 Download : 104

Similar Articles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.