COMPETITIVE HIGHER EDUCATION FOR MODERN LABOUR MARKET

Summary: An important task of higher education systems is to produce human resources who will build upon previous scientific insights and thus promote research, i.e. achieve breakthroughs that can be used for economic development and raising of living standards. 

Information society is a key prerequisite for completing the initiated reforms and creating knowledge society. This implies an adequate information and communication infrastructure and purposeful use of information and communication technologies (ICT). Information and knowledge are key notions in the higher education reform leading to an overall reform of society. The Bologna process has set learning outcomes as a priority in order to ensure consistent quality in higher education. As an instrument aimed to improve employability, the Croatian Qualifications Framework defines the competencies at all levels based on learning outcomes. Higher education needs to be adaptable in order to remain competitive and capable of responding to all the challenges of fast-paced globalisation.

This paper will investigate how much students know about knowledge management in our higher education system, and how they rate knowledge and skills acquired during their studies at Croatian polytechnics in terms of competencies required for employment and success in the labour market. The research is expected to indicate advantages and disadvantages of polytechnic education, and to provide policy makers with the basis for possible corrective activities and future development strategies of the Croatian higher education.

The basis of the present research is the survey conducted with students at six Croatian polytechnics. Different statistical methods were used to analyse the data gathered during the survey.

Keywords: Higher education, competencies, labour market, competitiveness, knowledge management