Bridging the Gap: Addressing the Mismatch between University Education and Labor Market Requirements
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55737/trt/v-vi.287Keywords:
Graduate Employability, Higher Education, Labor Market Needs, University–industry Collaboration, PakistanAbstract
Graduate employability is a major policy concern in Pakistan as growing graduate unemployment indicates a continuing mismatch between the goals of higher education and the demands of the labour market. Despite significant growth in higher education enrolments, many graduates continue to face challenges in securing meaningful employment due to deficiencies in technical skills, soft skills, and industry knowledge. This study explores the factors influencing the employability of graduates in Pakistan by examining curriculum alignment, employability skills, work experience, digital literacy, and industry interaction. Based on Human Capital Theory and Employability Theory, the study proposes a model emphasizing the role of higher education institutions in preparing graduates to meet the requirements of the rapidly changing world of work. A quantitative approach is adopted using a cross-sectional survey of final-year students and fresh graduates from public and private universities in Pakistan. Data will be analyzed through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to determine direct and indirect relationships among the study variables. Expected findings suggest that employability skills, practical learning experiences, digital competence, and strong industry linkages significantly enhance graduate employability, while curriculum mismatches and limited exposure to the world of work hinder successful labour market entry.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Waseem Khoso, Dr. Muhammad Hayat Khan, Javerya Rasheed, Kherzada Khushal Khan, Asad Ullah
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