Dr Lucy Obil Arop, Dr Scholastica Ushang Bassey & Emmanuel Eze
Abstract
The study sought to examine the moderating role of labour market information in the relationship between career counselling and perceived employability. A correlational research design was adopted for the study. Data were collected through stratified random sampling technique from a sample of 300 respondents out of a population of 720 undergraduates in the Department of Guidance and Counselling across the two public universities in Cross River State. A 30-item validated instrument titled Career Counselling, Labour market information, and Perceived Employability Survey (CCLMIPES) was developed and employed for data collection. The instrument was validated by experts in Guidance and Counselling. To ensure reliability, Cronbach’s Alpha was used, yielding a statistical index of 0.89. Data collected were analysed using mean, standard deviation, and correlation analysis. Findings indicated, among others, that career counselling has a limited impact on perceived employability, while labour market demands do not have much impact on perceived employability of undergraduates in public universities in Cross River State, Nigeria. It is recommended, amongst others, that school administrators should invest in training and resources to strengthen career counselling services, ensuring counsellors are equipped with up-to-date labour market information to guide students effectively.