AS Just Certified or Job Ready: Dual-Perspective Study of Student Perception and Employer’s Expectations

Abstract

This study investigates the complex relationship between certification programs and employability, using a mixed-methods, dual-perspective design. Quantitative data from 451 final-year students and recent graduates in Sivaganga district explore motivations for pursuing certifications, confidence in skill application, and job readiness. Concurrently, qualitative insights from interviews with 10 HR professionals across Tamil Nadu provide an industry-centric lens on certified candidates. Findings reveal a substantial divergence among the certification perceives students as essential for the employability, on that 35.9% were reported a job opportunities linkage to them. Most students were lacking with the confidence in applying the certified skills, with only 8.42% were felt job ready. Factor analysis emphasizes two motivational domain such as Career oriented goals and socio-psychological pressures like a peer influence and parental expectations. However, employers were prioritizing the hands-on experiences, soft skills and demonstrable outputs over credentials alone. And this study reveals the psychological corollaries of certification driven culture, including stress, imposter syndrome, and diminished intrinsic motivation. These findings underscore the urgent need to reform certification frameworks by integrating experiential learning, reflective practices, and emotional scaffolding. The study calls for systemic educational change that repositions certifications from symbolic achievements to authentic indicators of real-world competence. Practical recommendations are offered for educators, employers, and policymakers to align certification ecosystems with employment realities. Future research should examine longitudinal impacts of certification-driven training on job performance and extend this inquiry to diverse socio-geographic contexts for broader generalizability.