Employer Perspectives on Bridging Skills Gaps in Romania’s Labor Market
摘要
The paper presents the results of a survey-based study on the opinions of employers regarding professional education and training in Romania, with additional analysis conducted using chi-square tests to evaluate six hypotheses related to employer satisfaction with graduate skills. The research uses a structured questionnaire as the primary data collection method, targeting employers from various economic sectors, specifically those hiring graduates from technical schools and universities. The study’s aim is to gather insights into how the Romanian education system aligns with labor market demands, with particular attention given to the role of practical experience and digital skills in vocational training. Key findings include a strong consensus among employers on the need for more practical training within education and the growing importance of digital skills in the modern workforce. Additionally, most of the respondents expressed interest in collaborating with educational institutions to create customized training programs. The study identifies several challenges facing the current education and training system. The conclusions drawn from the survey and the results of the chi-square tests aim to inform strategic actions that could improve the alignment between education systems and the labor market, fostering better-prepared graduates to meet the evolving demands of industries.