An assessment of Interests, Attitudes, and Future Aspirations of First Year Students of the Faculty of Arts, University of Colombo

Abstract

Sri Lankan society is now transforming into an aging population and the country is running out of time to harness the resource of ‘youth’. The most important fact is that youth unemployment is much higher than unemployment among other groups in Sri Lanka. It is about 30% compared to unemployment of about 10% in other age groups (Word Bank report 2008). Employment prospects of local arts undergraduates is an issue that continues to require the attention of all stakeholders. This study focuses on themes related to this broad issue. In 1971, the Dudley Seers report (ILO) on Matching Education to Employment, argued that unemployment among the educated had partly resulted from their high aspirations on entering white-collar employment and a desire for academic education. Moreover, ILO report states that youth unemployment in Sri Lanka, being estimated at roughly 40% of the total amount of unemployment, has been recognized as a serious problem (IL0, 2004). The same results were highlighted in a study carried out in Sri Lanka that the graduate unemployment has loomed as a major problem facing the country during the last three decades. Due to this situation, results of non-availability of employment positions, as well as the desire to obtain employment in a certain sector or occupation, or heightened career aspirations are singly or in combination (Hettige et al, 2002). Gunawardena’s study (1991) showed that employers listed communication skills, personality, interpersonal skills and general transferable skills such as adaptability, decision-making and organizational skills which they lack as important requirements from university graduates (Gunawardana, et al, 1991). Some of the researches done in this field identified that the relationship between education and aspirations did not emerge straightforward and in the case of university graduates, specific mention is made of private business owners and managers who have difficulty in employing young graduates due to their low proficiency in English, inadequate practical experience and very often negative attitudes to youth and work (Hettige, et al, 2002 and Samaraweera, 2007)