Enhancing Employability Excellence: Perceptions of the Importance of Skills by Employers and Alumni

Purpose: This study explores the alignment of higher education with labour market demands in Uzbekistan, focusing on the gap between skills offered by public Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) and those required by employers. Methodology/Approach: The methodology employed in this research includes a survey assessing employers' and alumni's perceptions of skill importance and performance, utilising Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) and hierarchical cluster analysis to categorise skills and identify perception gaps. Findings: The findings reveal a pronounced misalignment in the perceived importance and actual performance of skills, especially in the areas of digital literacy and entrepreneurship. This misalignment is further accentuated by cultural factors, generational differences, and the evolving Uzbek economy. Research Limitation/implication: Amidst a backdrop of educational reforms and increasing competition from private and foreign universities, this research employs a survey-based importance-performance analysis and cluster analysis to gauge employer and alumni perceptions of 65 skills. Originality/Value of paper: This misalignment is further accentuated by cultural factors, generational differences, and the evolving Uzbek economy.