Tuning the Competencies of Maria Curie-Sklodowska University Graduates from the Faculty of Economics with Employers’ Requirements

Purpose – The present article aims at presenting the degree to which the competencies possessed by the graduates from the Faculty of Economics at Maria Curie-Sklodowska University are adjusted to employers’ requirements. Additionally, the article includes conclusions regarding the co-operation between the Faculty of Economics and the employers, as well as recommendations regarding some particular actions which should improve such collaboration. Design/methodology/approach – The identification of opinions expressed by the employers’ on the graduates from the Faculty of the Economics and the Faculty as such was performed with the use of a number of research tools, such as: statistical analyses of questionnaires, focus meetings, individual structured interviews with employers, analyses of historical statistical data concerning the Faculty of Economics of UMCS (Maria Curie Sklodowska University), computer software for statistical analyses of the data and for creating charts, graphic presentation of the data, to enable a clear presentation of the major results and correlations. Findings – The results of the research suggest that among the components of the competencies represented by the graduates of the Faculty of Economics that require enhancement are specialist knowledge and skills. The employers assess their co-operation with the Faculty of Economics as poor and, at the same time, they recommend closer collaboration between the employers and the university. Originality/value – The methodology presented in the this article may be used for determining the degree of tuning the graduates’ competencies with the requirements of the job market and the level of co-operation with the employers at other departments offering studies in Economics. The results of the study and the conclusions may be used for reducing the competence gap of the graduates from the Faculty of Economics at UMCS, as well as for improving co-operation with the employers.