How do young people plan their future? What kind of support do they expect from schools? How do parents perceive their role in their children’s educational and career choices?

Answers to these questions were provided by a survey conducted among primary school students from the Krosno Functional Urban Area, students of secondary schools in Krosno, and parents. More than 4,800 people took part in the survey.

The aim of the study was to learn about opinions, needs and expectations related to planning educational and professional futures, as well as to gather information that will help better plan activities implemented under the project “Our Krosno: Green, Enterprising and Co-managed with Residents”.

The survey showed that young people primarily expect practical opportunities to learn about the world of work. Students are most interested in meetings with people representing various professions, visits to companies, practical workshops, and the opportunity to identify their preferences and aptitudes.

“Young people often make decisions about their future without having full knowledge of the opportunities offered by their immediate surroundings. We want students to get to know local companies, professions and career paths. Showing attractive development opportunities in Krosno and the surrounding area is one of the ways to build strong ties between young residents and the city and region. We would like those who leave to study elsewhere to know that it is worth coming back here,” says Piotr Przytocki, Mayor of Krosno.

As part of the project “Our Krosno: Green, Enterprising and Co-managed with Residents”, a number of activities have been planned to help young people consciously plan their future. One of the key directions is the development of career counselling based on direct contact with employers. Students will have the opportunity to learn about various professions, primarily through meetings with practitioners, visits to workplaces, and activities showing what everyday work in different industries looks like.

The project also provides support for students who decide to develop skills in areas corresponding to the needs of the local labour market. Planned activities include scholarships, specialist vocational courses, practical classes with employers, and paid summer internships. Thanks to this, young residents will be able not only to learn about available opportunities, but also to gain specific experience and competences.

Young People Want to Run Their Own Businesses

The survey also revealed a strong interest in entrepreneurship among students. Starting their own business is being considered by around 45% of primary school students and nearly 50% of secondary school students participating in the survey.

“We are pleased to see such strong interest in entrepreneurship, as well as in acquiring the competences needed by future entrepreneurs. Young people want to develop creativity, learn about finance, money management, and how to start and run their own business in practice,” says Deputy Mayor Miranda Trojanowska. “We want to respond to these needs by creating creativity labs in schools and organising classes that develop soft skills and entrepreneurial competences. These tasks will be carried out together with the Business Incubator, which supports the creation of new companies in the Functional Urban Area. We will show young people that it is worth starting their own businesses, and that it is worth doing it right here,” adds the Deputy Mayor.

The aim of the project is to create conditions in which a professional future in Krosno and the region becomes one of the attractive options for young people, both as a career path with a local employer and in the form of their own business activity.

Parents as Important Partners in the Project

Project activities will be addressed not only to students, but also to parents, who are often the first advisers for their children. Parents participating in the survey declared that they regularly talk to their children about further education and future professions. At the same time, they pointed to the need for access to reliable information on the labour market, professions of the future, and ways to support young people in making decisions. Schools are planning to organise meetings for parents with the participation of experts and entrepreneurs. The topics will be adapted to the needs indicated by parents in the survey.

Scale of Activities

The project involves schools from Krosno and the municipalities of Jedlicze, Wojaszówka, Korczyna, Krościenko Wyżne, Miejsce Piastowe and Chorkówka. In total, 56 educational institutions are participating. Such broad cooperation creates an opportunity to change the way young people perceive the local labour market. It is a major undertaking that brings together schools, local governments and business around a common goal: to create conditions for young residents to consciously plan their future and to show them attractive development opportunities in Krosno and the region.

Practical Use of the Survey Results

The survey results are only the beginning. They will be discussed with the Social Committee, schools, entrepreneurs and project partners. The jointly developed solutions are intended to help young people better prepare for entering the labour market and to show them that they can build their future in Krosno and the region.