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Cited by 39Higher Education and EmployabilityInformation Systems Education and Curriculum DevelopmentHospitality and Tourism Education

Hard and soft skill needs: Higher education and the Fintech sector

Doherty, Oran, Stephens, Simon·2023·Journal of Education and Work
DOI 10.1080/13639080.2023.2174954
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Abstract

This paper explores the implications for higher education of the emergence of new industries, driven by technological changes. The pace of technology-driven changes creates significant challenges for the alignment between the skill needs of industry and provision by higher education. Drawing on concepts from neo-correspondence theory, we examine the emergence of the FinTech sector. We present data from two structured interviews with 28 employers based in Ireland. What emerges from this study, is that the type and level of skills required by industry is changing faster than ever before. The level of competence required in hard skills is decreasing, as in-house training and continuous professional development requirements increase. However, there is a greater expectation that graduates will have advanced soft skills. Skill shortages exist, not because of poor industry-higher education relationships but because of a lack of understanding of employers’ perceptions, preferences, and expectations.

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  • Problem-solving skills are one of the main core skills in emerging positions in the Fintech field.

    “The same study highlights that problem-solving skills are one of the main core skills in the emerging positions in the Fintech (Financial Technology) field [5].”

    From Exploring the Impact of AI Tools on Cognitive Skills: A Comparative Analysis (2025) · cites this paper as [5]

  • Recruiters in the Fintech sector expect an optimal combination of both soft and hard skills from candidates.

    “findings from a study focused on the Fintech sector [5] show that recruiters are expecting an optimal combination of both soft and hard skills from candidates.”

    From Exploring the Impact of AI Tools on Cognitive Skills: A Comparative Analysis (2025) · cites this paper as [5]

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Authors
Doherty, O., & Stephens, S.
Affiliations
  • Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IE)
  • Atlantic Technological University (IE)
Corresponding author
Stephens, Simon
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Education and Work
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Published
2023-02-14
Volume
36
Issue
3
Pages
186-201
ISSN
  • 1363-9080 (ISSN-L)
  • 1469-9435
DOI
10.1080/13639080.2023.2174954
OpenAlex
W4320923605
Cited by
39
References
93
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 2
FWCI
28.90
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
Journal of Education and Work (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Education › Higher Education and Employability
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Information Systems › Information Systems Education and Curriculum Development
  • Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality Management › Hospitality and Tourism Education
Keywords
fintech, higher education, skill needs, hard skills, soft skills, industry-education alignment, employer expectations, continuing professional development, in-house training, graduate employability, skills shortages, technological change

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