Matching of general competencies with labour market needs : important factor of quality of study programmes

Abstract

Employment of graduates is reflected as one of the most important factors for the quality of tertiary education. A link which relates study programmes with the labour market needs is relevant learning outcome of curriculum. The aim of paper is to analyse the issue of how curriculum of Lithuanian higher education institutions provide graduates with generic competencies. The empirical research was carried out under the Erasmus programme project “Higher Education as a Generator of Strategic Competencies” (HEGESCO, No.133838-LLP-1-2007-SI-ERASMUSEMHE) in 2008. The mismatch of generic competencies of Lithuanian graduates (N=1021) with the labour market needs was researched. To Lithuanian graduates opinion, their mismatch of generic competencies is evident in competencies characterised as functional flexibility and mobilisation of human resources. Overdeveloped competencies are considered to be in international orientation of graduates. The task for higher education institutions is to offer innovative curriculum designed for the needs of labour market. This research provided with the data necessary for improvement of quality of study programmes in Lithuanian higher education institutions.