Identifying the skills of unemployed youth in Khuzestan Province for targeted job creation: A qualitative study of the perspectives of entrepreneurs and experts

Authors

1 Assistant Professor and Faculty Member, Payame Noor University, Department of Social Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Social Sciences, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran

10.22034/jeds.2026.69917.1908

Abstract

Introduction: The technological and socio-economic transformations of the twenty-first century have led to a redefinition of the nature of work and employers’ expectations, thereby highlighting more than ever the issue of aligning workforce skills with the emerging needs of the labor market. Accurate identification of this skills gap and its associated challenges constitutes a fundamental first step in designing targeted employment-generation programs and preventing the waste of resources. Accordingly, the present study aims to identify the skills required by the labor market and the challenges of youth employment in Khuzestan Province
Methodology: This study adopted a qualitative research design. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with five faculty members, four entrepreneurs, five employment-related officials, and four employers. Data saturation was reached after eighteen interviews. Participants were selected using purposive and theoretical sampling. Data analysis was conducted using thematic analysis following the six-phase approach proposed by Braun and Clarke.
Results: The findings resulted in four main themes and twelve sub-themes, including: structural and macro-level challenges; the skills–education gap; required and priority skills; and proposed strategies. Overall, the results highlight the critical importance of enhancing practical and soft skills, revising university curricula, and strengthening collaboration between education and industry to promote employment development in Khuzestan Province.
Conclusions: Accordingly, designing market-oriented training programs, strengthening university–industry linkages, and supporting youth entrepreneurial activities are among the key strategies recommended for reducing the unemployment rate in Khuzestan. 

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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