FACTORS AFFECTING THE EMPLOYMENT COMPETITIVENESS OF VOCATIONAL STUDENTS MAJORING IN CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT: A CASE STUDY OF A VOCATIONAL COLLEGE IN GUANGXI, CHINA

This study examined the factors influencing the employment competitiveness of construction engineering management students at a vocational college in Guangxi, China. The research focused on five core employability skills: professional knowledge, practical skills, creative abilities, communication skills, and teamwork. Data were collected from 360 students through both printed and online questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics, multicollinearity diagnostics, and multiple linear regression. Findings indicated that students rated all five skills at moderate and comparable levels, with average scores ranging from 2.88 to 2.92, suggesting a balanced skill profile. Multicollinearity diagnostics confirmed that the five skills could be jointly analysed, as variance inflation factor (VIF) values were within acceptable thresholds. The regression model was statistically significant and accounted for 41.4% of the variance in employment competitiveness (R = .644, R² = .414). Each skill demonstrated a significant positive effect on competitiveness: professional knowledge exerted the greatest influence (β = .271, p < .001), followed by creative abilities (β = .244, p < .001), teamwork (β = .205, p < .001), communication skills (β = .152, p < .001), and practical skills (β = .113, p = .009). These results underscore the importance of both technical and interpersonal skills in enhancing employment competitiveness. It is recommended that vocational colleges strengthen their curricula by integrating theoretical instruction, practical training, collaborative projects, and creative problem-solving activities. Developing all five skills is likely to better prepare students for employment in the construction industry