Development of Human Capital in Bialystok Functional Area

Today, the value of skilled, complex and creative work is growing fast. In the global knowledge economy, people's knowledge, skills learning, talents and abilities - their human capital - have become a main factor of economic growth. In many regions, the potential of human capital is restricted, eg. in podlaskie voivodship. Particular problems exist in the field of vocational education as a result of long-term under-funding of vacational schools, reversal of proportion in choice between vacational and regular high schools, etc. Especially in the field of vacational education exists low quality of training. Education systems can do much to help people realise their potential and external funding (eg. EU) can support innovative projects for the development of human resources. The main goal of this article is to show an exemple of innovative project in the field of vacational education. In frame of EU instrument called Integrated Territorial Investments in Bialystok Functional Area (BFA) is implementing project “Competence Center of BFA”. The project is to support the development of knowledge, professional skills, talents and abilities. In the article was described a case study of “Competence Center of BFA”, which aims to adapt the competence to the needs of the regional economy. Case study will be preceded by an analysis of the situation of vocational education in the area of BFA and analysis of theoretical issues. The analysis led to the following conclusions: vocational education requires a broad integrated support; cooperation with different stakeholders (especially with employers, organizations of business environment, etc.) is essential to achieve high-quality education; a vocational education should be more attractive for pupils.