An examination of the relationship between competences and wages of higher education graduates: Evidence from Morocco

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18543/tjhe-5(1)-2017pp75-100
Keywords: tuning approach, competences and skills, mincer equation, higher education, human capital, wages, labour market

Abstract

To provide research insights in line with the Tuning project approach, we estimate the effects of competences on wages of higher education graduates with work experience. Using the conventional earnings regressions methods (Mincer equation) on data from a survey of graduates, we investigate the way in which the labour market reacts and rewards competences. The results show small significant evidence for an effect of competences on wages in our dataset; however, methodological and social skills display positive payoff returns. Our empirical findings also suggest that the labour market rewards less specialised competences, and unlikely methodological and social competences are deemed more necessary compared to cognitive skills (theoretical knowledge). Finally, wages tend to decrease for those who are female and working in the private sector. Overall, the findings of the study are highly related to the specification and structure of the Moroccan labour markets.

Published online: 30 November 2017

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Author Biographies

Abdellah Abaida, University of Hassan I, Morocco

PhD candidate in applied economics at the University of Hassan I. He is a member team researcher on higher education graduates’ employability of the University Hassan I. He has conducted several research projects on auto-assessment of institutions that are related to the university. Mr. Abaida holds a Masters in Economic expertise from Hassan I (Morocco). He is currently teaching Microeconomics and statistics for undergraduate students at the University Ibn Zohr (Morocco). His doctoral research focuses on Macroeconomics policies, labour market, economic growth, and fiscal policy in developing countries. Mail: a.abaida@uhp.ac.ma

Youssef Lakrari, University of Hassan I, Morocco

PhD candidate at the University of Hassan I (Morocco). He is a member of Laboratory of Research in Theoretical and Applied Economics at the same university. He is also a member of the research team on higher education graduates’ employability of the University Hassan I. His doctoral research interest and experience focuses on the quality of employability of higher education graduates, Moroccan labour’s market and higher education. He holds a Master degree in Economic expertise (University of Hassan I, Morocco). Mail: y.lakrari@uhp.ac.ma

Abdeljabbar Abdouni, University of Hassan I, Morocco

Professor of economics at the University Hassan I (Morocco), Head of Department of Economics and Director of the Laboratory of Research in Theoretical and Applied Economics. He has collaborated in Tuning Africa project I, and he is currently a member of Tuning Africa project II. Professor Abdouni holds a PhD in Economics from University Aix-Marseille, France. His research examines higher education graduates’ employability, human capital, innovation and economic growth, and the transfer of technologies from advanced economies to developing countries. He has conducted many surveys and research on higher education graduates. He is responsible for coordinating different university studies and projects with the Moroccan Superior Council of Higher Education. Mail: a.abdouni27@gmail.com

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Published
2017-11-30
How to Cite
Abaida, Abdellah, Youssef Lakrari, and Abdeljabbar Abdouni. 2017. “An Examination of the Relationship Between Competences and Wages of Higher Education Graduates: Evidence from Morocco”. Tuning Journal for Higher Education 5 (1), 75-100. https://doi.org/10.18543/tjhe-5(1)-2017pp75-100.
Issue
Vol. 5 No. 1 (2017): Regional responses to Higher Education world-wide challenges
Section
Articles

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