INTEGRATION OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES FOR EMPLOYABILITY AND GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS OF PROFESSIONAL COUNSELLORS IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA

Authors

  • Eberechukwu Francisca Chigbu Department of Guidance and Counselling, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
  • Bala Albert Suleh Department of General Studies, Taraba State Polytechnic, Suntai, Nigeria
  • Grace Chinyere Nnadi Department of Guidance and Counselling, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
  • Blessing Obianuju Mokwelu Department of Guidance and Counselling, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejes.v9i5.4308

Keywords:

digital technologies, employability, global competitiveness, professional counsellors

Abstract

The study investigated the integration of digital technologies for employability and the global competitiveness of professional counsellors in Imo state. Three research questions and one hypothesis formulated to guide the study were tested at .05 level of significance. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The population of the study consisted of 330 professional counsellors from Imo state. The instrument used for the data was a 15-item questionnaire. The instrument was validated by three experts, one from the field of measurement and evaluation and two from Guidance and Counselling all from the Faculty of Education, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Mean, standard deviation and chi-square were used for data analysis. The study revealed, among others, that the available digital technologies used by professional counsellors are telephone, video conferencing, WhatsApp, smartphones and computer games. It was also revealed that there is a significant influence of integration of digital technology on global competitiveness among professional counsellors in Imo state. The study recommended, among others, that government should also provide a training opportunity for counselors on ICT awareness as social network technologies are vital for counselling services.

 

Article visualizations:

Hit counter

Author Biographies

  • Eberechukwu Francisca Chigbu, Department of Guidance and Counselling, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria

    Chigbu, Eberechukwu Francisca occupied a position of lecturer II with PhD in Guidance and Counselling with research interests in counselling psychology and behavioural problems.

  • Bala Albert Suleh, Department of General Studies, Taraba State Polytechnic, Suntai, Nigeria

    Suleh, Bala Albertis a principal lecturer with PhD at Taraba State Polytechnique, Department of General Studies, Jalingo, with research interests in behavioural problems, educational problems and family issues.

  • Grace Chinyere Nnadi, Department of Guidance and Counselling, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria

    Grace Chinyere Nnadi occupied a position of lecturer II with PhD in Guidance and Counselling with research interests in general issues in interpersonal relationships, adolescents’ problems/issues, behavioural problems, delinquent issues among others.

  • Blessing Obianuju Mokwelu, Department of Guidance and Counselling, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria

    Mokwelu, Blessing Obianuju occupied a position of lecturer II with PhD in Guidance and Counselling with research interests in counselling psychology and behavioural problems.

References

Artemisa, R., Dores, Andreia, G., Irene, P. C. & Fernando, B. (2020). The use of new digital information and communication technologies in psychological counselling during the Covid-19 pandemic. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmc7589044/.

Blackwell, S. E, Browning, M., Matthew, A., Pictet, A., Welch, J. & Daves (2019). Positive Imagery-based treatment tool for depressed adult: A randomized controlled trial. Clinical Psychology Sciences.

Chigbu, E. F., Obi, J. S., Uzoekwe, H. E., Juliana, A. A. (2021). Self-efficacy as predictor of behavioural improvement among adolescents in Udi Education Zone, Enugu State. International Journal of Management, Social Sciences, Peace and Conflict Studies, Vol. 4(2), 67-76.

Chigbu, E. F., Nwobi, N. L., Ngwaka, L. C., Mokwelu, B. O. (2021). Counselling as predictor of secondary school students’ desirable behavior in Udi Education Zone of Enugu State. Sapientia Global Journal of Arts, Humanities and Development Studies (SGJAHDS), Vol.5(1), 385-396.

Christopher, G. F., & Vikram, P. (2016). The Impact of Digital Technology on Psychological Treatments and their Dissemination: Behavoiur Research and Therapy Elsevier. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmc521469/#!po=1.85185.

Daniel, M. P., Kyoung, M. C., Maria, D., Arline, R. A., Nikolai, E., Ana, T. G., Sochin, J., Chieko, K., Scoth, H. & James, M. B. (2008). Globalization: A brief primer for counsellors. International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling, Vol.30, 155-166.

Emaikwu, S. O. (2011). Fundamentals of Research Methods and Statistics. Makurdi: Selfers academics press limited

Goran, R. & Ana, B. (2017). Competitiveness in Technology and Innovation: How to keep On. International Journal of Digital Technology & Economy. Vol. 2(1). Retrieved from https://lidte.com/index.php/ijdte/article/view/40.

Nashat, A. H. & Asad, F. A. (2019). The Impact of Modern Technology on Providing Counselling Services in the Light of Some Variables. Journal of Education and Learning. Vol.8(2):132. DOI: 10.5539/jei.v8n2p132.

Riek, L. D. (2016). Artificial Intelligence in Behavioural and Mental Health Care, D.D Luxton, Academic Press; London.

Valmaggia, L. R., Latif, L., Kempton, M. J., Ruscalafel, M. (2016). Virtual Reality in the Psychological Treatment for Mental Health Problems: A systematic review of recent evidence. Psychiatry Research. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26795129/

Downloads

Published

2022-05-26

Issue

Section

Articles