Reconceptualization and pedagogical strategies of public speaking competency for employability: an integrative review

Purpose This study investigated the ineffectiveness of public speaking competence (PSC) in fostering employability. By analyzing the competency–training gap, it offers insights into vocational education and training (VET) concerning market-related generic skills. Design/methodology/approach An integrative review was conducted, qualitatively comparing 23 studies to identify themes, analyze gaps, synthesize recommendations and outline future research directions. Findings The employability framework of PSC was established, identifying generic skills for vocational diploma students as a developmental priority and graduate attributes for employability (GA-EM) – including career building, self-management and personal traits – as key intervention elements. The role of PSC as a generic skill was clarified through three core components related to GA-EM: (1) self-promotion in job-seeking through public expression, (2) objective self-awareness of disciplinary-specific skill acquisition during speech preparation and (3) mitigating excessive public self-consciousness in job interviews through speech confidence. These findings were re-conceptualized as public speaking competency tailored for employability (PSC-EM), with defined goals, intervention measures and target populations. The PSC-EM developmental gap in VET was refined, and a PSC-training pedagogical framework integrating PSC-EM implementation was proposed. Research limitations/implications Given the conceptual nature of PSC-EM, VET institutions should corroborate these findings through empirical research. Addressing equity and promoting self-directed learning in PSC training, especially in crowded classrooms in highly populated countries, requires further design-based research. Originality/value PSC-EM distinguishes PSC from oral communication, assigns it unique generic skill functions and enhances its status in VET. It introduces an innovative approach to employability cultivation, offering both a theoretical framework and a practical guide for VET stakeholders.