Employees' perception of training in information and communications technology (ICT) in universities on employment potential in Uganda: A survey of banking institutions in Uganda

Abstract

This research study reports on the Employees’ perception of training in information and communications technology in Universities on employment potential in Uganda: a survey of banking institutions in Kampala district. It was conducted in line with the following study objectives: to examine employees’ perception on training in ICT in Universities on employment potential in the banking sector in Uganda, to establish employees’ perception on the level of ICT skills that are applicable in the banking sector of Uganda, and to examine employees’ perception on the contribution of ICT in the banking sector of Uganda. These objectives were transformed into three research questions and hypotheses to aid in data collection and data analysis respectively. Three banks were used: Stanbic bank, Citibank and development finance company of Uganda. It also involved some ICT training institutions like Makerere University and UCU. Data was collected using the questionnaire, interviews, observations and document analysis, and was analyzed using SPSS computer program. Chi-square tests were used for the three hypotheses before conclusions and recommendations were made. It was found out that really, training in ICT significantly affects and influences employment in the banking sector. The study concluded that there is a strong relationship between ICT training and its graduates’ employability in the banking sector. It is noted however, that for ICT specialists to be fully absorbed in the banking sector, they need also to be qualified in other educational fields like financial management, accounting and economics in order to widen their scope of opportunities. It was recommended that banks need to support the education of their staff for further studies and ICT training institutions should liaise with the employing organizations so that required skills are given emphasis to the required levels before graduates are fully baked.