Universities have been criticised for not providing students with employability skills for the future.
The education and lifelong learning secretary, Fiona Hyslop, has said that graduates can no longer enter the world of work without these vital skills.
Speaking to an audience at Napier University's Skills for Scotland event, she commented: "In the past it has been possible for some students to pass through university successfully and only begin to develop their employability skills once they move into the world of work. This is no longer possible or desirable.
Ms Hyslop added that institutes should share best practice, noting: "Universities like Napier University already embed employability skills in vocational areas."
She remarked that graduates must "hit the ground running" and make an "immediate impact" on businesses, which creates a challenge for universities.
Tom Griffiths of gapyear.com recently stated that many students are now using gap years to gain valuable work experience, often in the profession they would eventually like to join.
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