Fresh graduates fall short on soft skills employers say
Despite their strong digital skills and academic qualifications many fresh graduates still fall short of employers expectations in time management problem solving and adaptability highlighting the need for closer collaboration between universities and businesses to better prepare young people for the workplace
Recent studies reveal that young job seekers often fall short of employers' expectations when it comes to essential soft skills. Ngo Thi Ngoc Lan, managing director of Navigos Search, highlighted that employers value attitude, resilience, and time management in fresh graduates. Resilience is particularly crucial, as some young employees tend to abandon tasks when faced with challenges.
Employers' demands extend beyond academic knowledge, requiring graduates to apply their learning to real-world situations, collaborate with colleagues, demonstrate responsibility, and make decisions in uncertain circumstances.
Le Quoc Vinh, chairman and CEO of Le Group, emphasized the importance of workplace experience in shaping young employees' attitudes and behavior. He encourages interns to actively seek opportunities to immerse themselves in the organization's culture and understand professional expectations. While academic qualifications and professional knowledge remain vital, adapting to the organisation and grasping its values are equally important.
Nguyen Thi Thu Anh, a member of the National Council for Education and Human Resource Development, cautioned against stereotyping young people's shortcomings. Many demonstrate creativity, initiative, and a strong sense of responsibility, thanks to schools and universities increasingly incorporating project-based learning and problem-solving assignments into their curricula. However, universities need to collaborate more closely with employers to ensure their education aligns with industry needs.
Bridging the employability gap necessitates increased cooperation between universities and employers, particularly while students are still studying. Currently, only 15% of surveyed employers contribute to curriculum design, while 59% take on student interns. Businesses must take greater responsibility for this gap, actively engage with institutions to understand their needs, and propose collaborative initiatives, such as industry feedback, practical projects, and input into training programs.
Universities, on the other hand, should be proactive in refining curricula, teaching methods, and assessments based on employer input.
Written by urgent.news from Vietnam Investment Review's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
