Employability skills development in Greek higher education institutions (HEIs) Implications for policy makers

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to look at the employability skills development efforts of Greek higher education institutions (HEIs) and recommend ways to help them create the employable graduate. Design/methodology/approach - The paper draws on extensive secondary data analysis. Findings - It is revealed that HEIs in Greece have failed, so far, to integrate key skills into their curriculum and as a result graduates are not equipped with a range of skills designed to be of practical value in the world of work. The paper argues that there is an immediate need for policy makers to develop a national policy on key skills in HE, in order to help students secure employment, as well as help domestic firms meet their skill needs. Practical implications - The paper indicates that the role of HEIs in the country remains undermined. In this context it is suggested that a graduate apprenticeship scheme needs to be developed to prepare graduates for the world of employment and that stand-alone modules around key skills should be incorporated into each program of study. Additionally, deans, departmental leaders and teaching staff should commit themselves towards skills initiatives and should work towards developing a skills-based curriculum that would equip students with marketable skills. Originality/value - The paper informs the existing literature about the employability development efforts of HEIs in the context of an advancing country, where the current understanding is very limited.