Addressing Skills Mismatch Between STEM Education and Manufacturing Industry Needs: A Literature Review

Rongjuan Hua; Carmela S. Dizon, Ph.D

doi:10.54097/4pg52849

Authors

Rongjuan Hua
Carmela S. Dizon, Ph.D

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54097/4pg52849

Keywords:

Skills Mismatch; STEM Education; Employability; Manufacturing Industry; Curriculum Development; University-Enterprise Cooperation.

Abstract

The issue of skills mismatch among STEM graduates in the manufacturing sector has become a central concern for global academia and policymakers. In recent years, with the rapid development and intelligent upgrading of manufacturing technology, the gap between the knowledge structure, technical ability and practical experience of graduates cultivated by the higher education system and the needs of the industry has become more and more obvious. Through a systematic literature review, this paper deeply explores the underlying factors causing this phenomenon, especially focusing on the unique challenges in the Chinese labor market. The research focuses on the gap between university curriculum design and industrial skill requirements, carefully analyzes the challenges faced by graduates in the job search process, and examines the crucial role of employability in labor market adaptability. Additionally, this paper explores the cooperation models between universities and enterprises in enhancing the professional competitiveness of graduates and evaluates the effectiveness of existing policy measures. By integrating existing research results, this review not only reveals the deficiencies of current research, but also proposes key directions for future research, aiming to provide theoretical and practical guidance for alleviating the skills mismatch problem.

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