Undergraduate research assistants of the Lab, Vera Shatalina and Akhmadjonova Shohidakhon from Westminster International University in Tashkent conduct research to identify skills gap on the labor market of Uzbekistan. This research study aims to systematically assess the existing and emerging skills gaps in Uzbekistan's labor market through the lens of HR companies and recruitment agencies. As the demand for a modern, adaptable workforce grows, there is growing concern among employers about the mismatch between the skills possessed by recent university graduates and those required by the labor market. To address this issue, this study will conduct a comprehensive survey involving over 100 HR companies and recruitment agencies operating in Tashkent.

The research will collect both quantitative and qualitative data to identify:

• the most in-demand skills among employers,
• common deficiencies observed in new graduates,
• employer satisfaction with the competencies of graduates from different universities, and
• evolving trends in recruitment practices.

A critical focus of the study will be on understanding how technological change—particularly the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation—is transforming skill requirements across sectors. The study will explore how AI is influencing hiring practices, displacing certain job roles, and creating demand for new digital, cognitive, and interpersonal skills.

The results of the study are planned to be submitted to an international peer-reviewed journal for publication.