Aligning University Education with Labor Market Needs: A Systematic Review of Employability among Sri Lankan Technology Graduates

Rapid changes in technology and industry have intensified the necessity for graduates to acquire the skills required to meet the evolving labor market demands. Despite a significant increase in the number of graduates pursuing degrees in science and technology, the majority still encounter underemployment, lack critical competencies, or struggle to meet the requirements of the contemporary workplace. To examine the root causes of the mismatch between university education and labor market requirements, this study conducted a systematic review of 38 peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2010 and 2024. The articles were retrieved through a structured Boolean search across major academic databases, including Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. By conducting a systematic literature review and performing citation and thematic analyses this study aims to highlight key research contributions and emerging  themes regarding the alignment of higher education with labor market demandsThe findings highlighted several persistent challenges, including gaps in both technical and soft skills, limited opportunities for practical, real-world experience, and outdated curricula that are no longer compatible with current labor market expectations. These results underscore the importance of fostering stronger collaboration between university education and industry, implementing reforms, and initiating targeted measures to enhance graduate employability. Moreover, the study furnishes insights for universities by offering recommendations to bridge the gap between educational outcomes and the competencies and labor market expectations. The findings offer guidance for policymakers, curriculum developers, and university administrators in improving graduate employability through the implementation of targeted strategies to address identified skill gaps. While providing a comprehensive contribution to existing literature, the study is constrained by its reliance on English-language sources and the lack of context-specific empirical evidence. Future research should focus on examining employer expectations, conducting  longitudinal analyses of graduate career trajectories, and evaluating the impact of recent higher-education reforms on employability outcomes. Ultimately, this study facilitates the development of an updated framework for re-envisioning higher education, with a focus on producing technology graduates, enhancing their employment prospects, and supporting national economic development.