Generation Y- Evaluation of Competencies’ Potential. Study of Employees in Poland

Results of the Study of Human Capital in Poland, which have been carried out since 2010 by the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development, confirm the shortage of competencies on the Polish labour market. As many as 79% of employers have experienced difficulties in finding candidates possessing suitable skills. Those employers indicated deficits in the following competencies: (i) professional competencies- connected with activities undertaken in a particular profession (approximately 50% of employers indicated shortages in this area); (ii) self-organisation competencies- these can be characterized as a general motivation for work (25% of employers highlighted the area); (iii) interpersonal competencies- people skills and teamwork (15% of employers indicated deficits in this area). Apart from the above deficits, low level of employees’ commitment is becoming a considerable problem. In the period when generation Y, whose needs and point of view differ from those of generation X’s, has been entering the labour market and due to employees’ ageing, improvement of competencies and jobholders’ commitment currently pose the most pressing challenges for the management and HR departments. Generational changes can be clearly seen in the area of values. Generation Y holds family and work-life balance in high regard. The Y’s are characterized by high pragmatism, lack of authorities, focus on personal development, relatively low loyalty towards the employer as an institution but high loyalty towards colleagues. The present paper details results of studies regarding self-assessment of competencies’ potential. The research sample consisted of 106 employees aged 22-32. Respondents assessed their knowledge, skills and the level of commitment and work satisfaction. In addition, they indicated their preferred values. On the basis of the study’s results, an attempt was made to establish guidelines for human resources management.