Bridging the Gap: Linguistic Rhetoric in Addressing Workforce Skills and Industry Needs

Abstract

In today's rapidly evolving job market, the gap between the skills possessed by the workforce and the demands of industry is widening. This phenomenon has posed significant challenges for businesses, individuals, and policymakers alike. For this reason, this paper explores the often-overlooked role of linguistic rhetoric in addressing the dynamic needs of industry, particularly the ongoing need for a blend of technical and soft skills among employees. Recognising that periodic industry assessments are insufficient, this paper further examines how language and rhetoric in public and corporate discourse advocate for educational and governmental reforms to meet these requirements. This complexity is increased by the lack of connection between policies and the actual experiences of employers and employees in various sectors. Using qualitative content analysis, the research focuses on policy documents, industry reports and other texts that proceed from various stakeholders. Employing the Metadiscourse framework alongside with an analysis of rhetorical patterns of contrast, necessity, convergence as well as elements of recalibration and reproduction, the study aims to uncover how these discursive strategies influence and shape educational institutions and government to adapt to the evolving workplace demands. The paper reveals how the correct use of linguistic rhetoric shapes the response of educational institutions and policymakers to the evolving needs of the job market.