Bridging the Employability Gap through Soft Skills Training in Higher Education: A Short Review

Abstract In the present competitive job market, technical knowledge alone is not sufficient for employability. Soft skills, behavioral skills, and leadership qualities play a vital role in shaping students into confident and workplace-ready professionals. This paper focuses on the importance of developing communication skills, teamwork, problem-solving ability, emotional intelligence, adaptability, and leadership among college students. The study highlights how these skills improve job performance, interpersonal relationships, and career growth. It also discusses common gaps seen among graduates such as poor communication, lack of confidence, and limited decision-making skills. The paper suggests practical strategies for skill development through classroom activities, group discussions, role plays, internships, project-based learning, mentoring, and personality development programmes. Further, it emphasizes the need for higher educational institutions to integrate soft skill training into the curriculum to enhance employability outcomes. Strengthening these competencies can support students in achieving long-term career success and meeting industry expectations. Keywords : soft skills, higher education, career success, industry expectations.