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The Skills Gap Between Higher Education & Market Demands


 
 

Introduction

The significant gap between Jordan's higher education outcomes and the job market's evolving requirements poses a critical challenge. More than half of Jordanian employers identify a critical skills mismatch, noting a deficiency in practical and soft skills among graduates. There is an urgent need for digital literacy, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills—areas where the existing curricula fall short. The World Economic Forum anticipates a major shift by 2025, with a demand for reskilling half of all employees due to technological advances, underscoring the importance of skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and resilience. Furthermore, the advent of automation and digitalization is expected to displace 85 million jobs worldwide, while simultaneously creating 97 million new roles, demanding a workforce proficient in a new division of labor between humans, machines, and algorithms.

 
 

Challenges

As a consequence, the skills gap in Jordan's higher education system leads to a high unemployment rate among university graduates, which stands at 25%. This means that one out of every four graduates cannot find employment, making it one of the highest graduate unemployment rates in the Middle East. Therefore, this gap also affects Jordan's economic growth and innovation. Without the necessary skills, the workforce is unable to contribute effectively to the country's development or keep up with rapid changes in the global economy. This situation not only impacts graduates but also creates challenges for employers across public, private, and civil sectors, indicating a widespread problem that impedes overall progress.

 
 
 
 

Suggested Approaches

To address the expanding skills gap in Jordan effectively, a strategic call to action is required that brings together higher education institutions, the government, and the private sector in a cohesive effort to align educational outcomes with the demands of the modern job market. This collective effort must focus on realigning educational outputs with the dynamic requirements of the job market. Key to this endeavor is the integration of advanced technology and digital tools alongside online learning platforms, which will enhance the delivery and accessibility of education. A shift towards a culture that values micro-credentialing and continuous upskilling is imperative to maintain workforce relevance amidst rapid technological and economic changes.

Establishing robust career guidance programs within educational institutions is also crucial, as these can provide students with insights into evolving market trends and the skills landscape, aiding them in navigating their career paths more effectively. Significant curriculum reforms are also necessary to include comprehensive practical skills training, digital literacy, and soft skills development, ensuring graduates are well-equipped for the demands of the job market. Strengthening the ties between academia and industry is vital for ensuring curriculum relevance and offering students real-world application opportunities, including co-developed programs that reflect the needs of the modern workforce. Additionally, for university students, fostering a spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship is important, necessitating access to incubators, mentorship programs, and resources that prepare them for both job creation and job seeking. Securing policy support and investment in educational technology and initiatives that align educational outcomes with labor market needs is imperative for this transformation. Such initiatives include supporting policies that facilitate lifelong learning and the accreditation of online courses. By implementing these measures, Jordan can significantly transform its higher education landscape, not only enhancing the employability of its graduates both locally and globally but also driving economic innovation and strengthening national competitiveness. This transformation demands a commitment to long-term investment and an openness to embrace change across all levels of society, education, and governance, positioning Jordan as a leader in educational innovation and workforce development.

 
 

Ideation Hub

We have offered viable solution approaches for each of the four sectors to spark your creativity, but we highly encourage you to bring your originality and unique perspectives to the table.

You can use these ideas as a starting point, but we urge you to think outside the box. Let’s come up with pioneering ideas to transform Jordanian industry.
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