Competencias clave para la inserción laboral: percepciones y realidades desde el ámbito universitario y mercado laboral

The context of digital era is characterized by advancements in automation, artificial intelligence, and sustainability challenges, higher education institutions face the challenge of preparing students for a constantly transforming society and a dynamic labor market. This mixed-methods research focuses on studying the alignment between the development of cross-cutting skills perceived by university students and those required by the professional environment. A questionnaire based on the guidelines of the Tuning Project was designed for a sample of 290 final-year undergraduate and master’s students, complemented by 13 interviews conducted with professionals holding leadership positions in both academic and corporate sectors. The results highlight significant discrepancies between the competencies students believe they have developed and the specific needs of the labor market. These gaps may affect the employability and adaptation to the work environment, underscoring the strategic priority of fostering greater coordination between universities and companies to more effectively align academic training with professional expectations. This study provides a solid foundation to guide efforts aimed at developing key skills and strengthening graduates’ preparation for a highly competitive and ever-evolving job market.