ICT skills and employability needs at the LIS programme Kuwait: a literature review

Purpose - The aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive literature review on information and communication skills (ICT) of library and information science (LIS) students in worldwide LIS education and compare them with those skills needed by the job market in Kuwait. Design/methodology/approach - Published literature -articles that may describe the LIS education situation in Kuwait - on the subject were reviewed and compared. In addition, content analysis of relevant web sites, reports, and LIS syllabus were used to provide further documentation and interpretation. The paper reviews ICT skills from the published research perspective; curricula review; professional association guidelines; employers' ICT skills needs; barriers and challenges of ICT adaption; and the ICT situation in Kuwait. Findings - ICT skills have been recognised as essential qualities for LIS graduates' employment. Various authors have stressed this in different publications. Few reviews on ICT skills were conducted, especially in developing countries such as Kuwait. A more comprehensive literature review on the importance of ICT skills and the job market needs is attempted. Practical implications - This review will help professionals in reviewing/adding to their curriculum and collaborating with employers to know their ICT skills needs. It will help employers and stakeholders to understand the ICT skills needed for LIS employability. It will also help students and graduates to improve their ICT skills to meet the needs of the job market. Originality/value - The paper was built upon previous articles, reviews of literature, and has identified certain gaps that have set the ground for further research in ICT skills, curriculum review, and employers' skills needs.