Connecting Employability and the Future of Work

As the work landscape undergoes rapid transformation driven by automation, artificial intelligence, and evolving work modalities such as remote and hybrid arrangements, the concept of employability has become increasingly dynamic and multifaceted. This chapter presents a systematic literature review examining how employability is defined, developed and measured in the context of the future of work. Emphasizing global trends, this review explores the intersection between employer expectations, graduate skill sets, and the roles of higher education institutions in preparing future-ready talent. The analysis draws upon articles identified systematically sourced from databases including Scopus, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Taylor & Francis, and the ERIC. The review addresses the following research question: What are the key issues and emerging strategies surrounding employability in the context of future workforce? The findings reveal that employability is not a static set of skills but a context-dependent construct influenced by sectoral needs, technological advancements, and changing modes of work. Key themes include the growing importance of soft skills, adaptability, digital literacy and higher education collaboration . This chapter concludes by discussing the implications for graduate recruitment in a post-pandemic world, the evolving role of career services and mentoring, and the potential for industry-academia partnerships to co-create meaningful employability frameworks that reflect real-world demands. This review also highlights persistent gaps in aligning educational outcomes with employer needs, offering strategic insights for educators, policymakers, and employers.