Bridging the Gap: Higher Education, Skills, and Graduate Employability

Dear Colleagues,

Universities contribute to economic and social progress through several channels, including the expansion of human capital, the promotion of innovation, and their wider third-mission activities (Martin et al., 2011). As primary producers of skilled labour (Valero and Van Reenen, 2019), their role has become increasingly significant in Europe, where the demand for highly qualified workers continues to rise, alongside a sustained shift towards advanced qualifications (European Commission, 2017). Consequently, graduate employability has become a central policy and research priority. Contemporary debates emphasise the need to move beyond salary-based measures to address issues of skill alignment and skill shortages, which have substantial implications for productivity and innovation (Brunello and Wruuck, 2021).

The aim of this Special Issue is to advance scholarly understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing higher education in relation to graduate employability, skills development, and broader educational outcomes. We seek to examine how universities can better align with labour-market needs, respond to emerging skill shortages, and reinforce their overall educational and economic impact.

We welcome articles aligning with the following topics:

• Graduate employability from cross-country and national perspectives.
• Analysis of graduate skills and their integration into university curricula.
• Broader outcomes of higher education, including innovation, entrepreneurship, and lifelong learning.

References:

• Brunello, G., & Wruuck, P. (2021). Skill shortages and skill mismatch: A review of the literature. Journal of Economic Surveys, 35(4), 1145-1167.
• European Commission. (2017). Communication on a renewed EU agenda for higher education. Retrieved from https://eur lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52017DC0247.
• Martin, M., Sauvageot, C., & Tchatchoua, B. (2011). Constructing an Indicator System or Scorecard for Higher Education: A Pratical Guide. Paris: International Institute for Educational Planning.
• Valero, A., & Van Reenen, J. (2019). The economic impact of universities: Evidence from across the globe. Economics of education review, 68, 53-67.

Dr. Alice Bertoletti
Dr. Mara Soncin
Dr. Melisa Lucia Diaz Lema
Guest Editors

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