On April 15-19, 2024, students from the University of Opole and the Technical University of Liberec (Technická Univerzita v Liberci) visited the University of Zittau/Goerlitz (Hochschule Zittau/Görlitz). The theme of the project was Talent Scarcity: Challenges in HR Management Amidst a Shortfall of Skills/Professionals.
Our Faculty of Economics was represented by students of: Management (Oktawia Lechowicz, Olha Luhovska and Sandra Rospleszcz) and International Business (Martyna Stachowska, Oleksandra Tarasiuk, Ogtay Baghirli, Mohame Berhanu, Rami Chebbout, Ahmed Fellag Ariouet, Rayan Hamoudi and Badr Eddine Zouatni). Their adventure had already begun earlier during an online session held on March 19, 2024, when the students were able to get to know each other, as well as issues related to the project’s theme, thanks to Dr. Anna Bruska, among others. It was also the moment when the students received guidance for their first assignment, which was to identify challenges in the Polish, Czech and German labor markets. The results prepared by the students were presented by them in Görlitz.
As part of the workshop, students had the opportunity to participate in workshops conducted by the lecturers involved in the project. The classes were diverse, engaging and particularly interesting for students due to their practical nature. Thus, there was an intercultural workshop (Dr. Laura Płatkowska-Prokopczyk), which enabled participants to understand cultural differences and their importance in performing tasks together, establish communication and create international teams in which students worked throughout the week. Competencies were analyzed, especially those particularly desirable in today’s labor market (Dr. Nataliia Boichuk). Digital skills, which are one of the key elements considered by employers, were explored (Ing. Tereza Michalová, Ing. Hana Trávníčková). Students were also introduced to the Canva of employee value propositions (Prof. Dr. rer. pol. Falk Maiwald and doc. ing. Kateřina Maršíková), which formed the basis for the projects they prepared.
As part of these intensive activities, participants of the Spring School in Görlitz interviewed entrepreneurs doing business in Görlitz about contemporary challenges in the field of human resource management. An interesting highlight of the program was a tour of the Siemens Energy factory. During an intercultural evening, participants had the opportunity to discuss the importance of cultural diversity in human resource management.
The outcome of the project was that representatives of the companies interviewed earlier presented recommendations and proposals for improvements in human resource management, attracting talent and encouraging representatives of Generation Z to settle in the city.
We hope that this intensive week in Görlitz will benefit both the students and the participating entrepreneurs.
