An Analytic Hierarchy Process Approach to Prioritising Employability Skills of Engineering Graduates in Telangana State

Abstract

Telangana, a rapidly expanding hub for information technology, engineering services, and manufacturing industries in India, has become a competitive destination for engineering graduates seeking employment. However, consistent with national trends identified by Andrews and Higson [1] and reinforced in the Indian context by Kulkarni [2], industry feedback across the state, particularly in Hyderabad, points to a persistent gap between academic training and workplace expectations, especially in transferable and soft skills. The Unstop Talent Report [3] corroborates these findings by revealing that 83% of engineering graduates in India remain jobless or without internship offers, highlighting persistent employability challenges. This study applies the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to systematically identify, evaluate, and rank employability skills most valued by employers in the city. Four crucial skills—Communication Skills, Problem-Solving Ability, Teamwork and Critical Thinking—were shortlisted in consultation with industry professionals, experienced faculty, and final-year engineering students. The findings underscore the urgent need for targeted curriculum reforms, aligning with recent state-level educational initiatives that integrate vocational training, industry partnerships, and soft-skill development to improve employability. By proposing a structured, data-driven prioritisation model, the research contributes actionable insights for policymakers, academic institutions, and corporate recruiters.

Keywords: Employability skills, Analytic Hierarchy Process, Skill ranking, Industry readiness, Fuzzy AHP Method, Fuzzy TOPSIS Method.