COOPERATION OF POLISH TECHNICAL UNIVERSITIES WITH EMPLOYERS

The latest concept of higher education performance has strengthened the role and importance of cooperation between the universities and socio-economic environment. Great emphasis, especially in relation to the education programmes for practical profile, must be placed on the involvement of employers and professional organizations in both the creation and implementation of the curriculum to better prepare graduates to the needs of labour market. The idea of curriculum based on learning outcomes should facilitate cooperation of universities with external stakeholders in the process of educational offer development. The employers expect graduates to have a high level of competence which is a synthesis of theoretical knowledge, practical skills and personal features. In their opinion, the role of the education system is to prepare graduates practically for the profession and to provide them with a wide profile of professional skills. Most frequently mentioned weakness of university graduates is the lack of experience and practical skills. Considering the employers' expectations the different forms of cooperation of technical universities with socio-economic environment were presented in the paper. The participation of employers in the curriculum design and evaluation of its quality has increased since the representatives of employers were included in the external evaluation committees. The most effective forms of employers' participation in creating a curriculum of study e.g. dual study, common post-graduate study, internships, technical trips, dedicated lectures were discussed on the basis of technical field of study (civil engineering). Employers participate in education process in an increasingly aware manner. However, there is still a need to seek mechanisms and methods for consulting that would really enable employers into cooperation with universities.