21st Century Skills’ Dimension on Graduate Employability Towards Industrial Revolution 4.0: Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

This paper conducts a systematic literature review to identify, analyze, and summarize how the 21st Century Skills’ Dimensions affect graduate employability within the framework of the Industrial Revolution 4.0. The review involved searching through accessible online databases like Google Scholar, Emerald Insight and ScienceDirect. The criteria were: (i) Publication dates from 2019 to 2025 and (ii) Articles or journals pertinent to the research domain. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) flow chart was employed to guide and report the narrative synthesis and systematic reviews according to the selected reporting items. Several critical dimensions of 21st Century Skills can improve graduates' employability and help them thrive in the job market. These include critical thinking and problem-solving, digital competency and AI literacy, collaboration and communication, adaptability and lifelong learning, entrepreneurial skills, innovation and creativity, as well as self-motivation and leadership. While this research focuses on 21st Century Skills and graduate employability, other subjects and criteria should also be considered in the broader discussion of graduate employability. Mastery of these skills is crucial for graduates to effectively navigate their educational journeys and prepare for the workforce while enhancing their social engagement. The effective development of these 21st-century skills can significantly enhance individual well-being and promote the growth of social and emotional abilities. As a result, graduates well-versed in a comprehensive set of 21st-century skills will be better equipped to tackle job market challenges, thus increasing their chances of securing employment