Ikimokyklinio ugdymo specialistų poreikis darbo rinkoje: pedagogų paieškos ypatumai Kauno miesto ugdymo įstaigų vadovų požiūriu

Abstract

The article deals with the issues of the demand for preschool education specialists in the labour market. It reveals the peculiarities in the search for teachers based on the results of empirical research from the perspective of principals of preschool institutions in Kaunas. The paper tries to find the answers to the problem questions of what the peculiarities of recruiting teachers are and what complex issues indicate specialists’ demand. The research aims to reveal the peculiarities of the search for preschool specialists and their employment trends in Kaunas. For this purpose, scientific literature, documents, and research survey data were analysed. The main research findings revealed that most survey respondents face difficulties searching for suitable specialists. In most cases, the employment of educators depends on situational factors. One of the most relevant criteria in the selection of specialists mentioned was the higher education degree of the candidate. Other mentioned statistically significant criteria were that the candidate is the graduate of a certain higher education institution; while studying, he/she had a pedagogical internship in the institution run by the respondent, or he/she has experience in other educational institutions. On the other hand, such criteria as random coincidence, the young age of the candidate or the contracted research performed by the candidate during his/her studies do not play any statistically significant role in recruiting employees. Based on the survey results, principals of preschool education institutions are satisfied with the qualification and competencies of the already employed graduates of Kauno kolegija; therefore, the qualification of these specialists is appreciated as positive and can be defined as matching the needs of the labour market. Among the factors that, in most cases, determine the employment of the graduates of Kauno kolegija, principals of preschool institutions point out the skills acquired and general and specific competencies developed during pedagogical internships. Less but still important are references from the higher education institution (or internship placements) and their theoretical professional knowledge. The practical experience acquired before or during the studies, the name of the higher education institution, contacts, random coincidence, or economic situation in the region do not play any significant role. This fact shows that principals of preschool institutions in Kaunas trust specialists who graduated from higher education institutions, acquired qualifications, developed competencies and gained practical skills.