Mapping The Landscape of Skill Development and Employability: a Bibliometric Review

Abstract Subject and purpose of work This paper aims to map the landscape of skill development and employability research through a bibliometric review. It seeks to identify key trends, thematic areas, influential contributors, and gaps to guide future interdisciplinary inquiry and policy development. Materials and methods The analysis is based on a curated dataset of 132 publications retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science. Using the Bibliometrix R package, both performance analysis and science mapping were applied to evaluate research productivity, identify leading authors and sources, and explore thematic evolution within the domain. Results The analysis of 132 publications revealed rising research on skill development and employability since 2021, with dominant themes including curricula, soft skills, and digital learning aligned with labor market needs. Conclusions The study concludes that research on skill development and employability has intensified since 2021, emphasizing curricula, soft skills, and digital learning to meet evolving labor market demands.