Higher economic education and the needs of the modern labor market

The issue of the quality of higher economic education, and its compliance with the requirements of applicants was and is relevant for all educational systems, regardless of the level of economic development of the country. In the conditions of a full-scale war in Ukraine, institutions of higher education should be oriented as much as possible to the formation of competitive educational programs that would take into account the needs of the modern labor market and the post-war recovery of Ukraine. The purpose of the article is to study the needs of the modern labor market for economic specialists and their consideration in the educational programs of higher education institutions in Ukraine.

Small and medium-sized businesses are the drivers of economic development and the formation of its innovative potential at the current stage. The dynamic development of the digital economy causes changes in the labor market and, in particular, the gradual demise of certain professions, which requires the development of entrepreneurial abilities in young people, regardless of their education. In addition, the experience of recent years shows that in unstable economic and socio-political conditions (the COVID-19 pandemic, full-scale war in Ukraine), it is small and medium-sized businesses that provide the opportunity to save jobs, provide for consumer needs, and support the socio-economic well- being of local communities and the economy of the state in general, filling its budget. Therefore, the modern labor market is most in need of specialists who would be competent in matters of the economics of small and medium-sized business entities, possess economic methods, and tools, and levers for justifying business decisions, have practical skills in using modern information and communication technologies in business, and were also socially responsible. Taking into account the above, educational programs in economics should be aimed at training specialists who will possess modern economic thinking, theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary for making informed decisions regarding the functioning of socio-economic systems of various levels, but the emphasis should be placed on business and the conditions of its functioning.