MATCHING COMPETENCIES AND MODERN LABOUR MARKET NEEDS: STUDENTS' SELF-PERCEPTION STUDY

One of the most often discussed problems in the business environment is inconsistency between the current educational programmes and the requirements of employers regarding the graduates' competencies. Knowledge, skills and compentencies acquired during the study process should be aligned with those, demanded by employers. In the current reserach the authors analyzed working competencies proposed by the representatives of Employers' Confederation of Latvia (LDDK). The goal of the study was to analyze a self-perception of students of Latvian higher education institutions regarding the pre-determined competencies. 128 students of Latvian universities were surveyed, using the authors' developed questionnaire. Respondents were offered to evaluate, whether they have competencies needed in the labour market, using 5-point Lykert-type scale. Data processing was performed in SPSS environment with the application of such methods, as analysis of means, analysis of frequencies and ranking. Study yielded the most important competencies, required for the current labour market in Latvia. The results are interesting for academic staff engaged in study curricula development, since understanding of the students' needs and preferences allow improving study process, employing modern teaching methods within the framework of student-centred approach.