Analysis of the orientation of study programs towards the labour market through the prism of entrepreneurial competencies

analysis of study programs at the University of Osijek

Abstract

This study aims to elaborate, compare and revise the characteristics, trends and connections between the orientation of certain study programs on the labour market demands through the development of entrepreneurship by using theoretical and comparative approach. Accordingly, a qualitative methodological approach was used, that is, data collection through document analysis as well as the trend analysis method. The results indicate the presence and/or absence of a large number of outcomes related to entrepreneurial competencies and the potential relevance of individual study programmes. Special attention is focused on the analysis of the learning outcome s visible in the syllabi of eighteen undergraduate, graduate and integrated study programs conducted at the Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek. There is a difference in study programmes designed in the last five years, while other study programmes which have been delivered at the University of Osijek for many years retain the tradition, but also the need to change for new generations. The trend analysis highlights the ever-increasing relevance and, therefore, the orientation on the labour market of those study programmes that were created in the last five to seven years. As a result, one can conclude that students outside the faculties of economics do not acquire enough competencies for entrepreneurship. In addition to revising study programmes, it is necessary to offer new elective courses at different levels of education, but also free elective courses that would give students a wider knowledge and the possibility of acquiring entrepreneurial competencies during their studies. All of the above is a response to the challenges that the young face when completing their higher education. One of the indicators of the necessity of introducing changes is the growing number of teaching staff who decide to change their profession upon completing their studies or who enter the private sector (OECD, 2008; 2016; 2019). In this sense, the development of entrepreneurial competencies strengthens competitiveness on the market but also contributes to the sense of a complete professional competence.