Technical Education: A Boost for Employability in the Modern Labor Market

Abstract

The objective of this literature review article is to analyze how technical education increases employability in the labor market. The specific objectives were: (a) Examine the effectiveness of current technical education programs in preparing students for the labor market, reviewing curricula and teaching methodologies. (b) Evaluate the impact of alliances between technical educational institutions and private companies in improving the employability of graduates. (c) Identify discrepancies and areas for improvement between technical training and the needs of the labor market, proposing curricular adjustments and new competencies for the programs. The review used the PRISMA-ScR methodology to address the terminology and essential aspects of the included studies. In collecting the PRISMA flowchart, 304 articles were initially identified: 50 in SciELO, 60 in WOS, 60 in Springer Link and 196 in SCOPUS. The critical importance of technical education as a catalyst for improving employability has been demonstrated in various global contexts, such as Germany, Japan, the United States, Brazil, South Africa, and Nigeria, among others. These studies reveal that aligning educational programs with market demands, implementing effective teaching strategies and fostering collaboration between educational institutions and companies are essential to maximize the employability of graduates. Concluding, how specific curricular adaptations and strategic collaborations between educational institutions and industrial sectors can significantly raise graduate employment rates. Furthermore, the analysis provides evidence that a well-targeted and up-to-date technical education not only equips students with essential technical skills but also fosters vital soft skills such as communication and problem solving, indispensable in the modern labor market.