engleski

What do employers in Croatia and Ireland want?

Employability is about much more than just relevant knowledge. Asking questions such as what do employers value in a graduate and how they view entrepreneurial graduates is key to understanding their motivations for recruitment and selection of individuals. This paper explores graduate employability from the perspective of employers in two European Union countries: Croatia and Ireland. Specifically, it focuses on three primary objectives: 1. To identify critical skills, attitudes and attributes sought by employers in Croatia and Ireland, and compare their perceptions 2. To determine if employers consider entrepreneurial skills critical for employability 3. To find out how well HE in Croatia and Ireland contributes to the development of crucial employability skills The empirical research has shown that employers in Croatia and Ireland (n = 109) share some similar as well as different perceptions regarding employability. Employers in both countries are looking for well-developed young people with a number of attributes as their future employees. They view willingness to learn, enthusiasm and motivation, learning skills and application of acquired knowledge as important for graduate employability, but do not consider possession of entrepreneurial skills significant for employability. According to the findings of this research, employers in Croatia and Ireland are moderately satisfied with the contribution of HE to the development of employability skills. This study highlights the growing need that faculties put emphasis upon skills development based upon employers’ priorities.

employers’ needs ; graduate employability ; entrepreneurial skills

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