Soft Skills: Opportunities for Enhancing the Employability of Young Graduates in Morocco: A Case Study of a Retail Company

Abstract

In a context marked by profound changes in the labor market in Morocco, the employability of recent graduates constitutes a major concern for both companies and candidates. Beyond technical skills, companies increasingly value soft skills, which are considered crucial for the integration, adaptation, and professional performance of new recruits.

This research aims to examine the effect of certain dimensions of soft skills on the employability of recent graduates, highlighting the non-technical competencies most valued in a specific organizational context. The originality of the study lies in the analysis of a major retail company in Morocco, allowing an empirical investigation of the role of soft skills in a competitive and structured environment.

The study adopts a quantitative approach based on a questionnaire survey administered to 200 employees. The collected data were analyzed using structural equation modeling to identify which dimensions of soft skills have a significant effect on employability and professional development.

The results indicate that relational skills appear to be the most decisive dimension. These findings confirm that the ability to interact effectively, communicate, and collaborate constitutes an essential lever for professional integration and career advancement.

From a theoretical perspective, the study enriches the literature on soft skills by providing empirical validation in the Moroccan context. From a managerial standpoint, it encourages companies in the retail sector to prioritize relational skills in their recruitment and talent development policies. Finally, the results offer insights for public policies on professional integration, emphasizing the need to strengthen the development of relational skills in the training pathways of recent graduates.

JEL Classification : J24, J23, M51, I23, O55

Paper Type: Empirical Research