AN ASSESMENT OF CURRENT EMPLOYMENT NEEDS IN THE ROMANIAN FURNITURE INDUSTRY

Abstract

The paper presents the results of an exploratory survey among Romanian companies from the furniture industry. The study aimed to identify: (1) respondents’ opinions regarding the main competences that a candidate needs to prove in order to be hired; (2) attitudes regarding the competences of the graduates from the Wood Engineering Faculty, Transilvania University of Brasov; and (3) main current employment needs of Romanian furniture industry. The results indicated that the highest importance in the selection of employees is given to transversal competences such as: orientation to quality; learning capacity; and availability for self-development, team working; and involvement in meeting customers’ requirements. The interviewed representatives of the studied companies mainly need skilled workers in the furniture industry but also engineers able to manage the company’s processes, or to design certain processes and products. The results of the present study may be used by the Wood Engineering Faculty in their attempt to adapt the academic curriculum and course contents; and give their graduates a chance to acquire relevant competences which may enhance their employability.

Keywords

• graduates
• survey
• competences
• employability
• furniture industry