Understanding and addressing the skills gap between study and the workplace

Lead: David Molyneux (Student Opportunity)

Team: Amanda Bishop (Co-Lead, Engineering), Gitit Kadar-Satat (Co-Lead, Psychology), Angela Lorenz (WBS), Marion Patel (Student Opportunity)

Year: 2024-2025

Summary

This project investigated the skills gap between higher education study and the workplace, focusing on student, employer, and resource perspectives. Insights from the project inform Professional Services, academic departments and wider stakeholders in strengthening employability alignment.

The project responds to sector-wide concerns about skills gaps shaped by technological change, evolving labour demands and varying levels of student readiness. Warwick’s strategic commitment to employability—embedded in its Core Skills framework and the Warwick Award—highlights the need for a coherent, evidence-led approach to bridging academic learning with workplace expectations.

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. Students highlighted challenges in adjusting to workplace ambiguity and developing professional agency.
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 and scalable student-facing intervention: the Career and Placement Skills Moodle resourceLink opens in a new window 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. Designed as a curated starting point rather than a full training programme, it consolidates digital skills, professional skills, and a structured placement pathway.
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 new graduates demonstrate strong ethical awareness and accountability, employers observed hesitancy around taking initiative and navigating ambiguity. Digital agility, defined as adaptability rather than tool-specific expertise, was consistently emphasised.

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.

Click here to access a copy of the project Executive SummaryLink opens in a new window.