Професійна компетентність як чинник формування конкурентоспроможності майбутніх фахівців на ринку праці

It is proposed to consider the professional competence of the future specialist, particularly in chemical and technological specialties, as a factor in their competitiveness in the labor market. Based on the analysis of scientific studies, it was found that the primary cause of the imbalance between the labor market demand for appropriate educational qualifications and the quality of training of graduates from higher education institutions is the lack of a state mechanism for monitoring the labor and education markets to ensure reliable assessments of the development of both systems. Soft skills desirable for specialists are identified, complementing their purely professional skills and helping them perform work efficiently, successfully build future careers, and meet employer preferences. These skills include responsibility, attentiveness, tact, teamwork skills, sociability, stress resistance, result orientation, analytical abilities, self-organization and multitasking, flexibility, mobility, discipline, fairness, optimism, adaptability, friendliness, politeness, and decency. It has been proven that employers increasingly prioritize soft skills as a component of the professional competence of future specialists. Key priorities include emotional intelligence, the ability to cooperate, the presence of flexibility and inclusiveness. It was determined that lifelong education and its educational product – a "state-of-the-art" student – will influence this trend in the future. The prospects for further research have been determined: the formation of professional competence among specialists in chemical and technological specialties under the conditions of continuous education.