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Coventry University Wrocław helping to fill skills gap in Poland with apprenticeships education model idea
Coventry University Wrocław wants to introduce an apprenticeship education model
Friday 07 March 2025
Coventry University Wrocław is proposing an innovative apprenticeship education model aimed at addressing Poland’s skills gaps in IT, engineering and manufacturing.
Recent workforce studies, including the 2024 Jobs Barometer, reveal a significant disparity in Poland between the qualifications of job seekers and employer expectations, especially in technical and innovative sectors where skilled professionals are in high demand.
Coventry University Wrocław hopes to address these challenges through apprenticeships that combine theoretical learning with professional practice, preparing students to meet real-world workforce demands.
As many as 72% of Polish employers have difficulty finding sufficiently qualified employees, according to the Manpower Group's Talent Shortage 2023 report. At Coventry University Wrocław we focus on close collaboration with businesses, which forms the foundation of our educational philosophy.
Dr Jacek Lewandowski, Director of Coventry University Wrocław
Professor John Latham CBE, Vice-Chancellor of Coventry University, initiated the project at a roundtable discussion in June 2024 at the Warsaw head office of Employers of Poland which gathered representatives from business, academia and government to discuss Polish workforce challenges and possibilities for an apprenticeship model in the country.
We believe that broader systemic efforts, such as a comprehensive apprenticeship education program, are essential to meeting market needs while equipping future professionals to address the demands of the fourth industrial revolution.
Professor John Latham CBE, Vice-Chancellor of Coventry University and Group CEO
A cornerstone of this effort is the university’s White Paper on the topic which outlines the principles and benefits of apprenticeship education, including the critical role of employer involvement by having them influence curriculum content to meet their actual needs creating a workforce that will be ready to work.
Other essential components would include a new employment formula - a work contract for the duration of professional development - and a combination of hands-on training under experienced mentors with education at collaborating institutions. Coventry University Wrocław’s model could also be connected to the Integrated Qualifications System, which enables participants to obtain professional certificates and bachelor’s or engineering degrees.
The funding system also proposes establishing an Apprenticeship Education Fund by employers, allowing them to deduct expenses from taxes, encouraging active participation.
We see tremendous potential in the development of apprenticeship education which combines theory with practice. At Coventry University Wrocław we aim to create a solid platform for collaboration with businesses to prepare future generations for the challenges of a modern economy.
Dr Jacek Lewandowski
Apprenticeship education is not only a response to the growing skills gap in key economic sectors but also an opportunity to permanently bridge the gap between education and the labour market. Through collaboration between employers, universities and public institutions, we can create a system that addresses the needs of a rapidly evolving economy while giving young people a competitive edge in the job market. We see tremendous potential in this model for fostering modern skills development in Poland.
Dr Rafał Dutkiewicz, President of Pracodawcy RP, a collaborator in the project
Found out more about studying at Coventry University Wrocław.
