Re-engineering education

Higher education today Most popular university courses of study in Poland during the 2007/2008 academic year
1.Pedagogy
2. Law
3. Management
4. Economics
5. Administration
6. International relations
7. IT
8. English philology
9. Tourism
10. Sociology
11. Construction
12. Political science
13. Psychology
14. Polish philology
15. Biotechnology
16. Environmental sciences
17. European studies
18. Finances and accountancy
19. Physiotherapy
Source: Ministry of Science and Higher Education

A gap is developing in the employment market, experts warn. Institutions of higher education are not producing enough graduates in certain sectors, and the lack of qualified workers in these areas will hamper the competitiveness of Polish businesses. 

The largest paucity of graduates is visible in engineering. Demand has been growing in this field and the Polish market will lack around 55,000 qualified engineers in 2009, according to TNS OBOP estimates made earlier this year. The biggest shortages will be seen in the mechanical- and civil-engineering sectors.

Meanwhile, according to Central Statistical Office (GUS) data from August, students at universities of technology account for just 12 percent of all university students in Poland. The number of engineering students among this 12 percent, while unenumerated, is undoubtedly much lower.

The four most popular areas of higher education are pedagogy, law, management and economics, according to data from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. Construction-sector studies rank 11th.

Apart from engineers, the country is also feeling a shortage of vocational school graduates, PKPP Lewiatan experts have warned, with the energy sector being a problem area. They added that the country's economic stability may soon be threatened due to a shortage of workers in critical industries.

According to Lewiatan's Labour Market Council, which announced a six-step strategy in December, Poland's authorities should undertake a number of measures such as analysis and monitoring of the labor market, as well as developing Poland's educational system to suit the market's needs.

Other steps proposed by Lewiatan include increased cooperation between schools and businesses, and the adjustment of state subsidies for universities in the most crucial areas for Poland's industry and economy.