Employability equips graduates for their future and has become an important part of higher education. Employers are looking for more than qualifications in their prospective employees; they seek people who are able to work as part of a team and take on leadership responsibilities when necessary. The skills, attributes and knowledge sought are often called 'employability skills'. These skills apply to work generally, rather than being specific to work in a particular occupation or industry and fall into the clusters of work readiness and work habits, communication and interpersonal skills, problem solving and adaptability skills.

Employability skills not only enable people to gain employment, they assist employees to participate effectively in the workforce and advance their career paths.