Alignment between education and the labor market: what impact on youth employability

Abstract

This study analyzes the impact of the alignment between education and the labor market on the employability of young graduates in Morocco, in a context marked by an expansion of educational supply and the persistence of difficulties in labor market integration. Drawing on human capital theory, the research examines the extent to which different dimensions of skills acquired during educational pathways contribute to strengthening employability. The empirical analysis is based on a sample of 296 young graduates from higher education and vocational training, and mobilizes a Tobit model in order to account for the censored nature of the employability variable measured on a Likert scale. The results highlight a clear hierarchy of employability determinants, showing that skills that are directly usable and recognized by the labor market play a central role in professional insertion. By contrast, certain dimensions related to experience or adaptability do not produce immediate and statistically significant effects, suggesting that their benefits are more likely to materialize in the medium or long term. The study also reveals the persistence of gender-based differences, underscoring that employability depends not only on individual characteristics but also on institutional and social factors. Overall, the findings confirm that improving youth employability in Morocco requires strengthening the coherence between training content and the real needs of the labor market. This research thus provides useful insights to guide educational and employment policies toward a qualitative approach focused on the relevance of skills and the reduction of education–employment mismatches.