Employability Skills and Career Adaptability of Technical Students: A Systematic Literature Review for Engineering and Technical Education

Authors

  • Tri Wahyuni Indah Permata Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Surabaya, Indonesia
  • Ratna Suhartini Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Surabaya, Indonesia
  • Umi Anugerah Izzati Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Surabaya, Indonesia
  • Lilik Anifah Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Surabaya, Indonesia
  • Arie Wardhono Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Surabaya, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.16920/jeet/2026/v40is1/26163

Keywords:

Career Adaptability, Employability Skills, Engineering Education, Technical Education, Technical Students, Work Readiness.

Abstract

The increasingly dynamic and technology-driven labor market requires technical students to develop not only disciplinary knowledge and technical competencies but also employability skills that support career adaptability. This study systematically reviews the relationship between employability skills and students’ career adaptability and identifies the competencies most frequently associated with adaptive career development. A Systematic Literature Review (SLR) using the PRISMA framework was conducted to synthesize empirical evidence from the literature. The findings indicate that employability skills are positively associated with career adaptability and contribute to work readiness, job-search self-efficacy, employment opportunities, job quality, and career resilience. Self-efficacy, communication, teamwork, problem-solving, goal orientation, optimism, emotional intelligence, and social support emerge as important factors supporting adaptive career development. From the viewpoint of engineering and technical education, the findings show the importance of incorporating employability-focused learning, experiential learning, and career development activities in technical curricula. The purpose of such integration is to enhance students’ readiness for technological change, transitions in the workplace, and evolving professional demands.

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Published

2026-10-23

How to Cite

Indah Permata, T. W., Suhartini, R., Izzati, U. A., Anifah, L., & Wardhono, A. (2026). Employability Skills and Career Adaptability of Technical Students: A Systematic Literature Review for Engineering and Technical Education. Journal of Engineering Education Transformations, 40(1), 186–196. https://doi.org/10.16920/jeet/2026/v40is1/26163

Issue

Volume 40, Special Issue 1, September 2026

Section

Articles
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