Exploring adult learners’ self-directedness in relation to their employability attributes in open distance learning.

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between adult learners’ self-directedness and their perceptions of their employability attributes. A stratified proportional random sample (N = 1 102) was taken of undergraduate adult learners at a South African open distance learning (ODL) higher education institution. The sample was predominantly represented by early-career black and female participants who were employed in industry and pursuing further studies in the economic and management sciences field. The results showed that learners who had a strong sense of self-directedness and especially a success orientation toward studying in an ODL environment had more confidence in their employability attributes and felt especially positive about their proactivity, career self-management and career resilience.