In an attempt to explain the ‘education-job mismatch’, this study sets out to ascertain the “skill set” that is needed by modern-day graduates who are pursuing a career in an international environment. The emphasis is on identifying the particular skills that they will need, with specific reference to Cross-Cultural Management or ‘CCM skills’. Using a mixed methods approach (focus group discussions, interviews and interactive seminar); the findings expose the magnitude of the education–job mismatch. Specifically, there is a lack of transferable CCM skills, a mismatch between the provision of CCM skills development in higher education and the needs of recruiters, and a curriculum shortfall in terms of CCM skills. Based on the findings, a framework is developed for addressing the ‘education-job mismatch’.
