Abstract:

The aim of this presentation is to introduce the public policy implemented in Poland (since 2014) under the name Competence Development Programme and the results of this program evaluation. The program’s main goal was better matching the competencies of university graduates with the needs of the labour market. The presentation provides the results of a programme evaluation carried out on a mixed-method approach (both quantitative and qualitative) using a quasi-experimental design (Propensity Scores Matching).

The evaluation of the programme revealed an interesting mechanism, called by the author the “double-selection” mechanism, which contradicts the assumptions of the intervention. This mechanism consists, on the one hand of self-selection of universities for participation in the programme of universities located in larger academic centres offering better career prospects. On the other hand, the self-selection of students within these universities and the greater likelihood of participation in the programme of those individuals who have characteristics conducive to their good market situation.

During the presentation, I will try to answer the question of why public policies aimed at improving the employability of graduates so often generate unintended effects and what actions will help to minimize such risks.

Keywords:

Higher education, educational policies and interventions, competencies, unintended effects.