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Antonios Andreatos
Figure 1: Estimated skills shortage in Europe for the next years (source: Fonstad & Lanvin (2010))
Azami et al. (2009, p. 27, 29) have found out that the skills considered most important by employers
were related to teamwork, communication and problem-solving ability. Other missing skills were those
related to lifelong learning, application of basic knowledge, as well as, understanding professional,
social and ethical responsibilities.
The American Workforce Readiness report was prepared collaboratively by the Conference Board,
Corporate Voices for Working Families, the Partnership for the 21st Century Skills and the Society for
Human Resource Management. They conducted an in-depth study on the readiness of new entrants
into the United States workforce by level of educational attainment from the corporate perspective.
The four organisations surveyed over 400 employers across the U.S. These employers articulated the
skill sets that new entrants need in order to succeed in the workplace. Among the most important
skills cited by employers were: professionalism/ work ethic, oral and written communications,
teamwork/ collaboration and critical thinking/ problem solving.
Employer respondents determined as the top six skills expected to increase in importance over the
next five years the following (Workforce Readiness Report, 2006, p. 49) are related to: Critical
Thinking, Problem Solving, Information Technology adoption, Teamwork/Collaboration, Creativity,
Innovation management, Diversity and Leadership.
Employer respondents identified as the “most critical” for future graduates entering the U.S. workforce
in the next five years the following:
Use entrepreneurial skills to enhance workplace productivity and career options
Understand economic issues and the role of business in the U.S. and global economy
Demonstrate understanding of global markets and cultural effects of globalisation
Use non-English languages as a tool for understanding other nations, markets and cultures.
The findings of the three surveys agree that, apart from knowledge related to their profession,
graduating engineers and IT professionals lack: a) communication, cooperation and team work skills;
b) skills related to lifelong learning and continuing education; c) basic knowledge and a general
understanding of organisational operations, d) media literacy and adoption of current and emerging
ICT technologies in their job and e) social and ethical responsibilities.
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