The employability of graduates represents a strategic priority for higher education institutions. Ensuring an effective transition from university to the workforce requires not only solid academic preparation but also an alignment between the skills developed during academic programs and the actual needs of the labor market. However, this alignment is not always guaranteed, and the mismatch between university education and stakeholder expectations can influence graduates' professional opportunities.
Data has been collected through interviews from university students and various labor market experts (e.g., recruiters, headhunters, career advisors, HR professionals) on the skills considered most relevant for professional placement, hypothesizing possible divergences between students' perceptions and the needs of the labor market. This study adopts a qualitative approach to explore how students and stakeholders perceive employability, with particular focus on the skills deemed essential for professional success and their integration into educational pathways. The data analysis aims to identify points of convergence and differences in the perceptions of the two groups, exploring key dimensions of employability such as human and social capital, knowledge of the labor market, opportunities, and obstacles.
The findings provide valuable insights for designing training programs more aligned with labor market dynamics and for fostering more effective collaboration between universities and the productive sector. Furthermore, this research may contribute to the development of educational strategies aimed at promoting a more informed and prepared entry into the workforce, encouraging a model of university education capable of addressing emerging employment challenges.