International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume IV, Issue XII, December 2020 | ISSN 2454–6186

Effects of Career Placement by KUCCPS among the Undergraduate Students in Public Universities in Kiambu County, Kenya

Karanja Joseph Ndung’u¹, Rose Obae^2
1PhD Student, Department of Education Administration and planning, University of Nairobi, Kikuyu Campus, Thika, Kenya
²Senior Lecturer, Department of Education Administration and planning, University of Nairobi, Kikuyu Campus, Thika, Kenya

Abstract
The study assessed the effects of career placement by KUCCPS to students’ career choice and the career guidance information by KUCCPS on students’ degree programme selection process in the public universities in Kiambu County, Kenya. The target population was 3000 first year students from Kenyatta University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) and University of Nairobi. A sample size of 900 students was obtained. Data collection was done using questionnaires, while data analysis was done using descriptive statistics. Findings showed that 82.8% of the students had applied for most famous degree programmes (Health/Biological sciences, Law, Engineering/architecture/ building and construction, Computer related courses, Business related courses and Statistics/Accounting/commerce) showing a high preference of these courses. But after placement majority of the students (72.9%) were placed in Art related courses different from what they had not applied for. From the Pearson product correlation coefficient which was -0.75 and the scatter diagram, it clear that there was strong negative correlation between what the students had applied for and what they were placed for. KUCCPS did not place most of the students on degree programmes of their choice and interest, but they were placed in different programmes. Moreover, 67.7% of the students agreed that they were not able to access KUCCPS website for career guidance and information. To minimize placement challenges, KUCCPS should be working closely with the labour market each and every year to establish the skill gap, so that it place students to fill the gap in future but not totally relying on its laid down policy which should be dynamic and not statics or fixed. With this kind of strategy most students will benefit and will be satisfied with the placement process. The career and guidance teachers should be empowered and trained with career guided skills, knowledge and provided with enough resources by KUCCPS to carry out effective career guidance services at secondary schools level before placement in the University.

Key words: Kenya Universities and Colleges Central placement Service (KUCCPS), Placement, Career choice, Skill gap and Knowledge Accumulation.

1.INTRODUCTION

KUCCPS was established in pursuant to its mandate as provided by the University Act, 2012, section 56(1) (a) to coordinate the placement of government-sponsored students to Kenyan Universities and colleges; develop and implement career guidance programmes; disseminate information on available programmes; and collect and retain data relating to university and colleges placement. Admission in Kenyan Universities is done by Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS), which is the body given the mandate of placing O-level students to different careers in both private and public universities. Students who complete O-level and manage to score grade C+ to grade A plain are placed into various degree programs as per the cluster laid down by KUCCPS. In Kenya admission of students into universities is a highly contested exercise due to limited chances available for each degree programme and also constrained facilities in various faculties of universities ( Porter & Umbach, 2006).