Perceptions of qualification mismatches: a balancing act

Abstract

Qualification mismatches, defined as discrepancies between the qualifications held by workers and those required by their jobs, have been a growing Ensuring that workers' skills and qualifications correspond with job requirements is necessary to ensure that available skills are appropriately utilised in the workplace. However, when workers' educational attainment is either higher (over-qualification) or lower (under-qualification) than the minimum required to do a job, a qualification mismatch occurs. Both types of discrepancy represent a form of underemployment which reflects a misallocation of labour resources. Qualification mismatches point to inefficiencies in allocating workers to jobs where they would adequately apply their skills and competencies.