Employability models for higher education: A systematic literature review and analysis

Abstract

The development of employability is one of the goals of university education. For this purpose, conceptual-theoretical foundations for the development of teaching programmes are necessary. Therefore, this study aims to identify, analyse, and categorise research models of employability in higher education, thus facilitating access to these conceptual foundations. To this end, a systematic literature review was conducted for the period ending March 2022. 21 models and frameworks were identified. Two research questions are answered: First, a dominant approach or development and a “one size fits all”-model could not be identified. Second, contrary to some critical assumptions the large majority of models do not mirror a utilitarian or neo-liberal perspective. A major implication from the analysis is that practitioners must first clarify their own approach to employability in order to then specifically select an appropriate model for developing teaching interventions. This analysis updates and expands a study from 2015 and thus currently provides the most up-to-date and broadest overview of employability models for higher education.

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