The transition to an information and knowledge-based economy affects the skills and competencies required in the labor market. The digital transformation of the economy, the rapid development of technologies, the artificial intelligence, automation and the emergence of new employment forms require new employee skills and intensify competition in the labor market. These dynamic changes pose new challenges for employees, businesses, and educational institutions. The effectiveness and relevance of university education are crucial for training a competitive workforce, with employability being one of the most important performance indicators for higher education institutions. The presented study aims to explore which skills and key competencies can increase the employability of graduates, with a particular focus on higher education in the field of Economics. Furthermore, our goal is to identify the most important skills and competencies that employers require from candidates with degrees in Economics. The conducted research is theoretical, relying on the review of relevant literature and previous empirical studies and aims to identify the key skills and competencies that employers look for in the case of graduates. Our findings might be useful for educational practice, as well as can help the institutions of higher education better align with labor market needs and increase the employability of their graduates. Additionally, our results can be used to formulate curriculum recommendations that might support students in developing the relevant skills expected in the labor market, thus promoting their successful professional careers.

Keywords: Competencies, skills, labor market.