The cybersecurity skills gap is a growing concern for the commercial sector amidst the constant evolution of technology, cyberthreats and data breaches and, as acknowledged by recent government reports, cybersecurity professionals face challenges when it comes to performing basic technical tasks. This study aims to provide valuable insights and a deliver a better understanding of the cybersecurity skills gap between academia and industry; this information can aid towards strategic interventions at the educational level through mapping job listings to the academic curricula to ensure preparedness of the higher education graduates for the workforce. By employing a mixed methods approach, the research identifies key discrepancies between the skills sought by employers and those provided by academic institutions. The results reveal a significant gap in Governance, Risk, Compliance (GRC), and Research job roles where skills such as analytical thinking are required, and in Threat Analysis and Penetration Testing related job roles, knowledge of specific software like Microsoft Azure Environments is needed. In addition, this study aims to provide actionable recommendations to Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in order to address and minimise this skills gap. Overall, this study contributes to the ongoing dialogue on aligning cybersecurity education with evolving industry demands, aiming to enhance the skillset of graduates entering the cybersecurity workforce.