Learning Outcomes In The Field Of Human Resource Management And Labor Market At Economic Faculties And University Departments - Critical Analysis

Implementation of the Croatian Qualifications Framework requirements during studies involves analysing and harmonizing course content in order to build key competencies aligned with labour market needs. The purpose of this paper is to examine to what extent and in what way study contents in the area of human resource management and labour market, and their interconnection, are included in university economics studies in Croatia. Critical analysis, case study, comparative analysis, observation, and ECONQUAL project results were used. The authors conclude that human resource management skills are among the key competencies demanded by the labour market; economics programs usually include such content within a separate course, but the topic also appears in related management courses. Labour market theory is represented in different courses, yet labour market upgrading, sector labour market analysis, and similar issues that directly connect labour market conditions with enterprise human resource management strategies are not covered by the standard learning outcomes defined by the ECONQUAL project. The paper therefore suggests updating economics programs, applying new teaching methods and other teaching innovations more extensively, interconnecting content across courses, and speeding up program revision.