The Polish education system struggles with the mismatch between curricula and the needs of the job market. The lack of collaboration between universities and employers, as well as the dominance of theoretical knowledge over practical skills, results in a shortage of qualified workers. Additionally, the overrepresentation of students in humanities and social sciences programs leads to an oversupply in these fields, while there is a lack of specialists in technical and natural sciences.
Apprenticeship work-based education as a Solution
In response to these challenges, apprenticeship work-based education is proposed, integrating professional practice with theoretical education. The model is based on the experiences of the UK, Germany, and France, with key elements including employment contracts during study periods, opportunities to earn micro-credentials and formal qualifications (e.g., bachelor’s degree), and close cooperation between universities and employers. The proposal of implementing the Apprenticeship Levy and tax reliefs is designed to encourage businesses to actively participate in the programme.
Why is it worth familiarizing yourself with the White Paper on implementation education?
The White Paper presents systemic solutions that can help address the skills gap in the Polish labor market.
- An integrated approach to education – combining theoretical education with professional practice.
- Employment from the first day of learning and lifelong learning.
- Formalization of acquired qualifications – building a valuable portfolio for future candidates.
- Complementing the current solutions used in Poland within the system of vocational and continuous education.
Benefits and Perspectives
Implementing apprenticeship work-based education in Poland can help close the skills gap, increase graduate employability, and align qualifications with the needs of the economy. Coventry University demonstrates that employer involvement in education and flexible learning models, such as micro-credentials, are key to success. The Polish education system has the potential to adopt these best practices, increasing its competitiveness internationally.
