Recently, the biggest independent university ranking QS World University Rankings presented their new research the Global Skills Gap Report. The report analyses how graduates of higher education institutions meet employers’ expectations and needs in the face of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Over 11 000 employers have been surveyed and the results show that top five skills valued the most by employers are problem solving, teamwork, communication, interpersonal skills and adaptability.
Following the report, on 11 September, the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2019, that present the best institutions at engaging with employers, have been published. Same as last year, three Lithuanian universities are on the list – Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VGTU), Vilnius University (VU), and Vytautas Magnus University (VMU). All of them are ranked at 301–500 places.
The new ranking seeks to compare the employability outcomes of higher education institutions across the world by considering employer reputation, alumni outcomes, partnerships with employers, graduate employment rate and employer-student relations.
Rector of Vilnius Gediminas Technical university (VGTU) prof. dr. Alfonsas Daniūnas says that graduate employability is an essential criterion that demonstrates the value created by the university. “Skills and knowledge that young professionals gain and develop during their years of studies are important, but nurturing the ability to apply them and helping students to become valuable members of a job market are equally important goals of a university. Employees who are creative, have good communication skills, are able to work in teams and can adapt to rapidly changing environment are crucial for the job market. We live in the midst of the Fourth Industrial Revolution where modern industry is very efficient, competitive globally and is based on digital technologies. It needs highly educated employees,” emphasised Rector of VGTU.
According to him, young specialists cannot expect success just by gaining some knowledge and holding a diploma in their hands. They have to start entering a job market early in their studies, and, in addition, work on the skills valued by employers – communication, interpersonal skills etc.
“Universities must focus on students’ internships, foster employer-student relationships and assist in students’ career planning to satisfy the needs of modern employers. VGTU pays particular attention to the afore mentioned aspects, and this shows in the results of international rankings and national statistics. According to the most recent data of the research on student employability carried out by the Research and Higher Education Monitoring and Analysis Centre (MOSTA) in Lithuania, 86% of VGTU graduates of 2016 class are employed. It is the second best result. Employability of master students is even higher – 90% of graduates are employed,” said Rector of VGTU.
A. Daniūnas emphasises, that master studies provide not only more employment opportunities, but also higher salaries. Data from MOSTA research show that average income of graduates of master studies or even master students are higher than average income in Lithuania just after few first months of studies, and after 6 months after graduation the income is higher by several hundred Euros.
