Comparing learning opportunities of generic skills in higher education to the requirements of the labour market

Abstract

In research on higher education, the link between education and future professional success is well-documented. Little research, however, has been done about existing learning opportunities at institutions of higher education that help students acquire generic skills and on the fit between such learning opportunities and labor market demands. To address these questions, we adapted an existing scale for assessing areas of generic skills, which originated in research on job requirements, and transferred it to a survey of students (N = 4,258). We also implemented a comparable questionnaire, assessing the same set of generic skills, in a graduate survey (N = 378). The results of our study show that by using a theoretical model such as this, it is possible to connect student and graduate surveys related to generic skills. Factor analysis provides evidence for the theoretical expected areas for students. Cluster analysis of student data suggests that learning opportunities for generic skills differ according to field of study. We conclude by discussing our study’s limitations and implications.

Skill components of higher education in the era of sustainable development: an analytical study among university students in Qatar

“…For instance, students of social sciences are still dependent more on theoretical concepts and are characterized by a lack of application. However, there are some generic dimensions of skills in which students tend to perceive the same learning opportunities, regardless of their field of study (Lohberger and Edith, 2022). On the other hand, we found that older students believe that SD skills are important compared to other age groups.…”

Determining factors of individual and organizational unlearning in the generation and realization of ideas: a multigroup analysis from organizational structure

“…Unlearning can be a powerful technique for continuous improvement and innovation in companies. The fundamental premise of unlearning is developing human capital and company progress based on new market demands (Lohberger & Braun, 2022). Employees and managers can learn from this study by examining the theoretical frameworks rooted in their organizational culture.…”

“…This study is justified by the need to present a broader discussion about the factors that lead to individual and OUL and how this contributes to generating and realizing innovative ideas in organizations based on the predominant type of structure. This theme is necessary to address the intense competitiveness in the market, which demands innovation and punishes inactivity (Lohberger and Braun, 2022).…”

Perceived interest in learning sustainability competencies among higher education students

“…At the same time, work experience related to sustainability was related to higher interest in learning of interpersonal competence, collaborative use of digital technology and values thinking. These sustainability competencies are also needed in working life (Lohberger and Braun, 2022), which may be associated with an increase in interest in sustainability competences as the work experience increases. An interest in sustainability and learning sustainability skills can also be linked to applying for studies or work related to sustainability.…”