Employability Skills: A Systematic Literature Review on Skills, Challenges, and Curriculum Integration in Higher Education

¹ Culinary Education Study Program, Home Economic Department, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, 60231 Surabaya, Indonesia
² Vocational Education, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, 60231 Surabaya, Indonesia
³ Family and Consumer Science, Fakulti Teknikal dan Vokasional, Sultan Idris Education University, 35900 Tanjong Malim, Perak, Malaysia

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

Rapid technological developments require universities to produce graduates with employability skills according to the needs of the dynamic world of work. Unfortunately, there is a significant gap between graduate competencies and industry demands. This study systematically analyzes employability skills, the challenges of integrating them into the higher education curriculum, and strategies to bridge the gap. The PRISMA method selected 30 scientific articles from reputable databases for analysis. The results show that the most sought-after skills include communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, integrity, and adaptability, especially post-pandemic. However, the integration of these skills into the curriculum is still partial and faces challenges in measurement and implementation. Therefore, curriculum revision, innovative learning approaches, and close collaboration between education and industry are needed. This study emphasizes the importance of higher education in producing graduates who are not only academically intelligent but also have practical skills and are ready to compete in the global market.