A Gap to Overcome Between the Profile of University Graduates and the Demands of the Labor Market

Abstract

In the global world, employability is a relevant element in economic and social development, but the lack of jobs and their quality remains a crucial challenge in developing countries. Job scarcity particularly affects the large number of university graduates who face the challenge of entering the workforce, becoming an urgent priority, especially for the increasing young population year by year. The objective was to analyze the assessment of the graduate profile vs employability in students of the Faculty of Education. The study adopted a quantitative approach, with a descriptive and cross-sectional design. The sample consisted of 84 students from the Education program with a focus on Electronics and Informatics (30), Telecommunications and Informatics (36), and Metallurgy-Jewelry (18). The university students belong to the ninth and tenth cycles of the faculty of education in the described specialties. Two instruments were applied: the graduate profile, consisting of three dimensions: general, specific, and specialty training, and the variable of labor market demands, consisting of three dimensions: reading comprehension, logical reasoning, and pedagogical knowledge of the specialty. Additionally, they were subjected to expert scrutiny on the subject matter, as well as a pilot test. The results indicate discrepancies between employer expectations, institutional policies, and graduate expectations, highlighting the need for greater alignment to improve employability and job placement. It is concluded that collaboration between the university, the Ministry of Education, and the students is essential to ensure academic training that effectively prepares graduates for success in the labor market.

Received: 3 November 2024 / Accepted: 5 February 2025 / Published: 06 March 2025