Educational Competencies and the Quality of Educational Services in Higher Education Institutions: Employers' Needs and Labor Market Supply

Анотація

Transformational processes in Ukraine’s agrarian sector caused by martial law and structural changes in the economy have significantly affected the labor market and the requirements for employees’ professional competencies. This highlights the need to align educational training in higher education institutions (HEIs) with employer demands.

The aim of the study is to analyze the correspondence between the labor market requirements in the agrarian sector and the competencies developed in HEIs, as well as to identify directions for improving cooperation between employers and educational institutions, contributing to the quality of educational services.

Methods. The study employs a systemic analysis of statistical data, comparative analysis of labor market indicators, and synthesis of empirical data from agricultural enterprises. Descriptive and analytical approaches are applied to examine employment trends, workforce demand, and training practices. Particular attention is paid to mechanisms of quality management in education, especially in relation to aligning curricula with labor market needs.

Results. It has been established that the agrarian sector is characterized by a reduction in the number of employees due to increasing mechanization and migration processes. At the same time, there remains a high demand for qualified personnel capable of working with modern machinery and digital technologies. Significant gaps have been identified between employer requirements and the outcomes of training in HEIs. Enterprises are increasingly implementing internal training programs and supporting dual education models, which contributes to improving the quality of educational services through practice-oriented learning. The critical importance of digital literacy, technical skills, and foreign language proficiency has been determined.

Conclusions. The study confirms the necessity of strengthening cooperation between agricultural enterprises and HEIs. The improvement of the competency-based approach, the development of dual education, and the modernization of educational infrastructure are key conditions for reducing the imbalance between labor market supply and demand. Effective quality management mechanisms in higher education are essential for enhancing the responsiveness of training systems to employer expectations.