From Theory to Tech

This study investigates the long-standing employability gap among Tunisian civil engineering graduates, where mismatching between university education and construction industry demands irks labor market readiness. Through a mixed-methods approach, entailing semi-structured interviews with 25 industry leaders and action research within a leading Tunisian construction firm, this article reveals deficiencies in three domains: applied technical competencies, digital skills, and essential transversal skills. Findings show that employers refer to graduates' lack of proficiency in fundamental digital tools artificial intelligence (AI)-driven project management tools, and Computer-Aided Design (CAD)/ Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) technologies. The novelty of this research is grounded in analyzing both current and future competence needs of the sector, particularly in response to ongoing technological transformation through continuous organizational feedback.