CRUCIAL ROLE OF SOFT SKILLS IN RECRUITMENT: COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF STUDENT AND PROFESSIONAL PERSPECTIVES.

The ESRI Pact requires higher education to develop skills by 2030, particularly soft skills, which are essential in a constantly changing world of work. Employers prioritize these skills, which complement technical skills. A study conducted among students at the National School of Applied Sciences in Oujda reveals a gap between the importance they place on soft skills and that perceived by companies. Many students underestimate their role in recruitment and career progression. Current teaching does not always meet market expectations. The article calls for integrating modules dedicated to soft skills into academic programs to better prepare students for professional challenges.