Socio-demographic and Educational Factors as Determinants of University Students’ Digital Skills and Perceived Employability: Evidence from Serbia

11th International Scientific Conference Technics, Informatics and Education – TIE 2026, (pp. 98-105)

 

AUTOR(I) / AUTHOR(S): Marina Semiz , Vesna Ružičić

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.46793/TIE26.098S

SAŽETAK /ABSTRACT:

In the contemporary work environment, students’ digital skills represent a key factor in employability and professional development. Digital transformation is reshaping education and work through the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and virtual reality, thereby redefining labor market demands and the concept of employability. This study examines the influence of sociodemographic factors (gender and age) and educational factors (year of study and faculty) on students’ digital skills and perceived employability. The research was conducted on a sample of 181 students from the University of Kragujevac during the 2025/26 academic year using two author-designed scales. The results indicate significant gender differences in perceived employability and advanced digital skills, including programming (p < 0.001), cybersecurity (p < 0.01), digital marketing (p < 0.01), and problem-solving (p < 0.001). Students enrolled in technical fields achieve higher scores in advanced digital skills compared to those in educational fields, with significant differences observed in programming (p < 0.01), digital marketing (p < 0.05), problem-solving skills (p < 0.01), and perceived employability (p < 0.01). Age and year of study show partial effects on certain dimensions of digital skills. The findings suggest that both individual and educational factors influence digital skills and perceived employability. Furthermore, the findings highlight the need to strengthen students’ digital skills across study programs and to improve educational approaches aimed at reducing disparities in advanced digital skills and perceived employability among students.

KLJUČNE REČI / KEYWORDS: 

Digital Skills; Practical Skills; Strategic Development; Education; Employability

 PROJEKAT / ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

This study was supported by the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia. The results form parts of the Grant No. 451-03-34/2026-03/200132 with University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Technical Sciences Čačak and the Grant No. 451-03-34/2026-03/200142 with University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Education in Užice.

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