Enhancing Alumni Employability: Aligning Higher Education Quality with Workforce Expectations

This study explores the perspectives of both young and experienced professionals in Uzbekistan, evaluating their alignment with labour market demands to enhance employment outcomes and improve the quality of education and employability skills. Data were collected through a quantitative approach using an online semi-structured questionnaire distributed to 607 WIUT alumni, incorporating Likert Scale questions to assess responses. The results show that while the WIUT library program is well-structured and up-to-date, its activities do not fully meet the needs of either young or experienced graduates. A staff shortage has hindered the effective implementation of the LRC curriculum, impacting program quality. Although several factors influence individual income, the data collected lack sufficient depth to establish strong correlations between library usage and income. These findings will help improve the planning of LRC activities and inform the development of teaching approaches at WIUT, supporting both existing and future graduates in acquiring market-driven skills and enhancing their employability, thus ensuring a higher level of professional preparedness. This research is among the first in Uzbekistan to examine the impact of university library operations on graduates' employability skills, providing valuable insights into the role of quality education in shaping workforce readiness.