Employers in Egypt reported a skills gap as they don’t find expected profiles for entry level ICT vacancies. Getting a work-ready graduate is very challenging due to the fast-paced evolving in demand skills and emerging technologies. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of four variables on narrowing the skills gap in ICT workforce in Egypt. These four independent variables are engaging practitioners in college education by having knowledge transfer sessions and real-world projects for undergraduates, developing training courses as part ICT curriculum, conducting awareness sessions and adopting effective learning methodologies. Countries like India, Ireland and Singapore have accomplished a great success in ICT market by developing their local human capital and their undergraduate education to cope with the rapid changes in ICT industry. These countries have contributed in off-shoring and outsource industries and services to maximise their economic growth from IT resources. We used case study approach to pinpoint the similarities and differences between those countries and Egypt.

To fulfil the purpose of the research, the second chapter reviewed past research on narrowing skills gap, adapting ICT curricula in colleges, exploring in demand ICT skills, and studying skills gap problems in other countries to pinpoint how successfully these countries tackle graduate’s employability. From this literature, a conceptual framework was developed. Based on this framework, the hypotheses of the study were advanced.
RQ1: To what extent does the practitioner engagement in curriculum adaptation and development influence graduates’ employability?
RQ1.1
To what extent does organising knowledge transfer sessions by practitioners, who have been working in ICT industry, influence graduates’ employability? (These sessions are conducted by technology companies to present new tools and technologies to undergraduates, which include workshops and training sessions on new releases and cutting-edge tools.)
RQ1.2
To what extent does participation in a real-world project mentored by practitioners affect graduates’ employability?

Hypothesis 1: Practitioners engagement affects the curriculum development and adaptation positively.
Hypothesis 1.1 Organising knowledge transfer events and sessions affect positively on graduates’ employability. ICT students who attend knowledge transfer sessions more likely will get employed after their graduation.
Hypothesis 1.2
Students Participation in a real-world project as part of their undergraduate study affects positively on their employability.

RQ2: To what extent does the attendance of ICT training courses influence graduates’ employability?
Hypothesis 2: Students participation in ICT training courses affects positively on their employability.

RQ3: To what extent do effective learning methodologies influence graduates’ employability?
Hypothesis 3: Using different learning methodologies like project-based or collaborative learning equip students with in demand soft skills.

RQ4: To what extent does the attendance of awareness sessions influences graduates’ employability?
Hypothesis 4: Organising awareness sessions affects positively on graduates’ employability.
Awareness sessions affect graduates’ self-perceived skills and knowledge that help students to use internet educational resources to acquire more knowledge in the business and technology areas which have jobs and a real demand.

Research Methodology:
The researcher used a mixed approach, which includes quantitative and qualitative research methods. The quantitative research method permits specification of dependent and independent variables. A combination of instruments was adopted in collecting data. The survey/questionnaire was the principal instrument used for collecting quantitative data while the interview technique was also employed. Another instrument used for collecting data was the unobtrusive observation technique that involved observing the graduates during their training at Information Technology Institute (ITI), which is providing a nine-month ICT boot-camp internship for recent graduates. In addition, a cross-sectional exploratory and descriptive multiple case study is adopted.
This study used a qualitative research strategy in connection with theory to gain full understanding of a natural setting, and as a comprehensive method of substantiating or un-substantiating the research’s topics of interest. Semi-structured interviews were used as primary data collection techniques to obtain information from both industry and academia. Use multiple sources of evidence provided enhanced reliability and construct validity of the case study research. The researcher chose three populations the employers, the professors, and the students or fresh graduates, so the data collected will be examined in-depth to confirm or reject the prepositions derived from the literature review.
The researcher followed the theoretical hypotheses, which induced the case studies, in analysing the data. The case studies were technically considered or validated according to two main criteria for judging measurement tools; these were validity and reliability.

Findings from this research and the empirical results are as follow:
First, Practitioners engagement does influence curriculum development positively. Academia collaboration with the industry will ensure work-ready graduates by having the adequate mentorship and work-like environment during college. Second, training courses have a significant impact on graduates' employability. It provides hands-on labs for some state-of-the-art technologies and focus on diversifying graduates’ profiles to match the variety of in demand skills. Third, applying different learning methodologies in higher education will equip students with a set of soft skills like communication and team work skills, which are hard to develop using traditional teaching methodologies. Fourth, self-learning is vital for ICT students during college, therefore having the proper awareness of the in-demand technologies will help students work on their learnings and develop a clear path for their future careers.