The influence of religious institutions’ initiatives on graduates employability: a case of the Christian Council of Tanzania (CCT) chaplaincies

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Date

2025

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

East African Nature & Science Organization (EANSO)

Abstract

Graduate employability is a persistent challenge globally. Tanzania among the developing countries has been affected, despite numerous efforts by the government and other stakeholders, including religious institutions. The aim of this study is to examine the influence of religious institutions’ initiatives on graduate employability in Tanzania. Using the Christian Council of Tanzania (CCT) chaplaincies as a case study. Cross-sectional survey, a total of 160 respondents were obtained, including four leaders from the CCT head office, four Chaplains from CCT chaplaincies and finalist students from the Institute of Rural Development Planning (IRDP), University of Dodoma (UDOM), Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), and Mzumbe University (MU). Primary data were collected from key informants through interviews using a checklist of questions, and from a sample of finalist students through a structured questionnaire survey. The findings revealed a significant role played by religious institutions. The CCT’s role was manifested through chaplaincies’ activities such as communication, entrepreneurship training, and seminars. The study concludes that while religious institutions enhance employability through the development of essential soft skills and entrepreneurial abilities, these initiatives alone are insufficient to directly influence employability outcomes. The study recommends that the CCT head office and Chaplaincies should establish a specific desk or unit which among other functions will identify soft skills that limit the graduate employability and develop programmes to provide such skills in the course of the students’ training across all chaplaincies at higher learning institutions as they continue to attend CCT programmes.

Description

Original Article

Keywords

Graduate Employability, CCT Chaplaincies, Religious Institutions, Tanzania

Citation

https://doi.org/10.37284/eajass.8.1.2928