First-job blues: What’s stalling fresh graduate employment
Nour Al-Din, a fresh computer engineering graduate from Amman, completed his degree with strong academic results and several internships. But eight months on, he is still looking for his first full-time job.“I’ve applied to dozens of roles,” he says. “Most ask for experience or tools I haven’t used.”Nour’s experience reflects a broader trend across the Middle East, where fresh graduates are struggling to land their first jobs. According to Kickresume’s latest survey titled ‘From school to work: Do fresh grads see the job world differently?’, 58% of recent graduates say they are still seeking their first job. The survey also reveals that 14% of earlier graduates report feeling that much of what they learned is outdated now, citing the growing influence of artificial intelligence.The findings highlight a growing mismatch between what young job-seekers learnt and what workplaces now require. So what’s behind the growing divide, and how do we bridge it?While the rapid adoption of AI and automation, outpacing curriculum updates, is a major driver, it’s not the only factor behind the disconnect between education and employment. Several other underlying issues also contribute to the widening gap.Here are some of the key ones:Lack of industry-relevant experience: Many graduates complete their studies without participating in internships, industry placements, or hands-on projects. As a result, despite their good academic performance, employers struggle to evaluate their practical abilities, often preferring candidates with demonstrable workplace exposure over those with purely academic achievements.Skills gap in emerging technologies: While academic programmes offer foundational knowledge, they often lag in teaching fast-evolving tools and technologies such as cloud-native development, cybersecurity protocols, etc, that are evolving as a must-have skill in today’s job market. Employers often look for talent which are driven by rapid innovation and can potentially become a productive resource for their organisation.Communication and workplace readiness: Graduates may possess strong technical and other skills that their degree offered, but fall short in soft skills such as effective communication, critical thinking, and team collaboration. As today’s work environments become more dynamic and cross-functional, these competencies are increasingly essential. Graduates who lack them often struggle to meet employer expectations or stand out during interviews and assessments.Insufficient career guidance: Career support services in many institutions are outdated or under-resourced. Students may receive limited insights into current hiring trends, in-demand skills, or alternative career pathways, leaving them ill-equipped to navigate the transition from campus to workplace.Mismatch in job expectations: Some graduates enter the job market with expectations that don’t align with entry-level roles, whether in terms of job title, salary, or responsibilities. This misalignment can lead to prolonged job searches and missed opportunities for valuable early-career experience.How organisations can come forward to bridge the gapOrganisations and employers that constantly seek young, innovative talent to drive their business goals can play a proactive role in bridging the education-to-employment divide. Here’s how they can do it:Strengthen industry-academia partnerships: Employers can collaborate with universities, polytechnics, and private institutions to contribute to syllabus reviews and deliver guest lectures or workshops. This ensures students are exposed to real-world challenges and the latest technologies and can focus on acquiring skills essential for real-world careers.Expand internship and apprenticeship opportunities: Organisations can offer structured internship programmes, apprenticeships, and part-time roles to help students gain hands-on experience while still studying. These opportunities allow students to understand workplace culture, apply theoretical knowledge in real scenarios, and develop in-demand technical and behavioural skills. It also helps companies build a pipeline of pre-vetted talent for future hiring.Invest in graduate training programmes: Employers can design dedicated graduate development programmes that offer rotational assignments across departments, on-the-job learning, and mentoring support. These initiatives not only improve young minds’ confidence and readiness but also foster loyalty and long-term career growth within the company.Encourage participation in innovation challenges or hackathons: Organisations can host open innovation challenges, coding contests, or ideation hackathons, giving students an avenue to showcase their problem-solving abilities and creativity. These platforms also serve as alternative recruitment pipelines for identifying agile thinkers and future-ready talent.Tackling the rising issue: What governments across EMEA have done so far? Amid the ongoing crisis in hiring outlook, the governments across the EMEA region are proactively taking steps to support employment among fresh graduates.Here are key initiatives currently in effect:Jordan’s ‘Tashgheel’ programme: Currently active and supported by the Jordanian government, Tashgheel incentivises private sector companies to hire unemployed youth, including fresh graduates. The programme offers wage subsidies, social security contributions, and workplace training for up to 6 months.UAE’s ‘Nafis’ programme: Part of the UAE’s Emiratisation push, Nafis provides financial incentives to private companies hiring Emirati nationals, including university graduates. The programme also offers on-the-job training, salary support, and career counselling for unemployed and young job-seekers.Saudi Arabia’s ‘Tamheer’ programme: Run by the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF), Tamheer offers three to six-month training placements in public and private sector entities for Saudi graduates. Trainees receive a monthly stipend and are equipped with soft and technical skills for improved employability.Digital Egypt cubs initiative: Aimed at high-performing students and graduates, this government-led programme provides free specialised training in digital technologies, including AI and cybersecurity, to build future-ready skillsets.EU’s Erasmus+ youth employment and skills training (MENA) programme: Actively funds partnerships between European and MENA institutions to deliver vocational training and cross-border internships, helping graduates gain exposure and mobility across markets.Bridging the gap from classroom to careerAs the world of work evolves faster than academic curricula, today’s graduates find themselves underprepared for real-world roles despite strong academic records. To equip them for this transition, collective efforts from employers, education providers, and governments are crucial. By offering hands-on experience, industry-relevant training, and structured career support, organisations can help close the disconnect between what students learn and what the job market expects.
Join the community of 2M+ industry professionals.
Subscribe to Newsletter to get latest insights & analysis in your inbox.
Get updates on your preferred social platform
Follow us for the latest news, insider access to events and more.
