Abstract
Aim: This research focuses on one of the most persistent issues of the UK employment market: the mismatch of skills between newly graduated individuals and the job market. It was, therefore, the purpose of the study to establish which of the technical and soft skills are specifically lacking in recent graduates and, in so doing, determine the extent to which higher education institutions have prepared students for the necessary skills in industries and, most importantly, compare the expectations of employers to the actual graduates about the required skills.
Method: Employing a qualitative research approach, the study employed interviews with the participants, who included HR managers, recruitment officers and team leaders in the technology, healthcare, engineering and business service industries.
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As the market of the United Kingdom increases in complexity, the disparity between the skills that new entrants into the labour force already possess and that the employers require is widening (Jackson, 2010). This was not only a disservice to young professionals by hindering their chances of employment opportunities in the limited time they had but also hampering the growth and development of any business entity to compete within the market. As industries rapidly improve their standards due to enhanced technology and changing market situations, the requirement for skilled human capital with good technical, flexibility and interpersonal skills is felt like never before. Universities and schools training the future generation of employees and managers face a difficult choice (Mirza et al., 2014).
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