How can universities overcome the dilemma of jobs and skills gap?

In a world of drastic changes in various industries, there is a never-ending dilemma called the skills gap. All educational institutions always work on providing a quality education and achieving their desired outcomes, however, they should do more and more to overcome the skills gap problem as long as they aim to produce competent graduates for the job market.

The role of universities should exceed just upgrading courses and integrating soft Skills and technology in curricula, it should emphasize the alignment with industry needs and Encourage collaboration between academia and industry to identify and address skill gaps.

What is the skills gap?

Before delving deeper into this blog, let’s talk first about the skills gap.

A skills gap refers to the mismatch between the skills that employers need and the skills that job seekers or employees possess.

It is a situation where there is a disparity between the skills and qualifications required for a job and those possessed by the workforce. This gap can exist at various levels, including individual, organizational, and societal levels.

According to a study , the skills gap often occurs when the university educational courses are not in line with the changing demands in the industries. In which, students are not able enough to benefit from their academic journey and miss out on the necessary skills needed for the job market.

Is a college degree a worthy investment?

According to one survey , 90% of companies would consider someone without a 4-year college degree for a job, considering certifications or specializations as a sufficient substitute.

?Many organizations may hire people who attended skills boot camps or have other industrial or professional certifications, as well as using AI, upskilling current workers, and even hiring people who have a free online degree.

The majority of employers feel that fresh college graduates are not prepared for the workplace, even though, as per a recent employer research report, employers do believe that college degrees are a worthy investment.

Actually, it is not about a college degree or not, it is about acquiring skills. And here, universities should do their best to close the skills gap.

See also:

How can universities boost students’ outcomes in their foundation year?

How can universities bridge the jobs and skills gap?

Now, it is time to discuss some strategies that universities should consider to bridge the jobs and skills gap.

Partnering with local employers

The approach of partnering with local employers involves establishing collaborative relationships between educational institutions, community organizations, and businesses. It aims mainly at ensuring that students are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed for the local job market.

Some universities are holding official partnerships with companies in training their students, whether it is through internships or On-the-job training. This strategy can limit or even prevent the gap before it occurs.

Regular Curriculum Review and Update

When we say that a given university offers a quality education. Still, this quality ends up when the current programs can no longer satisfy the demands of the job market. In this case, the educational institutions must add specific programs and training regimes to enrich students’ skills and attributes. So that they would be equipped enough after graduation.

?Due to rapid changes in the world of businesses, curriculums related to information technology, business management, and engineering are susceptible to such current updates. So, universities and educators should evolve their programs constantly.

?Offering Flexible Learning Pathways

Customizing education is a good strategy to cater to various student interests and career goals. When universities tend to offer different educational experiences, this helps accommodate lots of learning styles and preferences.

Unlike traditional linear education models, flexible learning pathways provide a variety of options and entry points, accommodating diverse learning styles and circumstances. Universities should consider such a strategy for better outcomes.

Conducting sustainable research

Focusing on research and discovery helps bridge the skills gap because it enables universities to be steps ahead of the employment needs and recent demands of industries. Here, educators can teach their students skills that are not even a trend yet to be ready for any career or employment shifts that arise.