Understanding and addressing the skills gap between study and the workplace

Lead: David Molyneux

Team: Amanda Bishop (Co-Lead), Ali Collins, Rachel Cuddihy, Tom Greenaway, Gitit Kadar-Satat (Co-Lead), Angela Lorenz, Marion Patel

Year: 2024-2025

Summary

This project investigated the skills gap between higher education study and the workplace, focusing on student, employer, and resource perspectives.

Building on previous WIHEA research, Stream A examined Warwick students’ skills preparedness through surveys and focus groups with prospective and returning placement students in Life Sciences, Psychology, Engineering, and WBS.

Findings highlighted strengths in academic preparation but also revealed gaps in communication, collaboration, digital agility, and professional autonomy.
Returning students reported that placements accelerated their development of workplace confidence, adaptability, and interpersonal skills, but also exposed areas where curricula could be better aligned with real-world practice.

Stream B translated earlier skills gap findings into a practical Moodle resource to support students preparing for placements.

Designed by Student Project Officers with placement experience, the resource aims to support students preparing for placements by offering guidance and reflective prompts.
Dissemination has begun via the IPWE team and the Placements Practice Group, who will promote it directly to departments for use with students.

Stream C explored employer views through surveys and interviews with organisations recruiting placement students and graduates.

Employers prioritised transferable skills—such as critical thinking, communication, resilience, and teamwork—over technical proficiency.
While most recognised graduates’ ethical awareness and commitment to learning, they identified shortfalls in business readiness, professional communication, and leadership.

Together, the three streams provide a comprehensive picture of the skills gap and reinforce the importance of embedding employability more explicitly within Warwick curricula, enhancing digital literacy, and strengthening university–employer collaboration.