From Classroom to Career: An ESP-Based Needs Analysis for Enhancing the Employability of Diploma Engineering Students

Abstract

This study conducts a needs analysis to investigate the role of English communication skills in the employability of diploma engineering students in Telangana, India. In a competitive job market, technical proficiency alone is insufficient; industry demands strong communicative competence. However, a significant gap persists between the skills imparted by polytechnic institutions and the expectations of employers. This mixed-methods study uses the framework of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) to analyse this gap. Quantitative data were collected via a questionnaire administered to 150 final-year students, and qualitative data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with 15 faculty members and 10 industry recruiters. The findings reveal that while students recognize the importance of English, their proficiency, particularly in productive skills like speaking, is critically low. The analysis identifies a pronounced urban-rural divide in student confidence and a curriculum that lacks practical, industry-aligned communicative training. The study concludes that a systematic integration of an ESP-based curriculum is essential to bridge the gap between the classroom and the workplace, thereby enhancing graduate employability.