Development of graduates’ transversal competences: the mobility program Galeuropa

Abstract

The development of transversal skills, beyond the strictly academic, has become one of the central pillars of current university education, supported by the formation of the European Higher Education Area. This means it is useful to identify all of the educational possibilities that help in the development of those competences, beyond the set curricula and activities in the university system, such as non-formal education programs. The objective of this study is to determine whether university students’ participation in a mobility program (Galeuropa) helps them to improve transversal skills that are fundamental for employability. It also aims to identify the profile of university students who benefit most from participation in this program. A questionnaire was applied to 439 young people (graduates participating in Galeuropa and final year university students). The results showed that the participants in the program demonstrated the greatest development of transversal competences (proactivity and personal adaptability, intercultural competence, and leadership). Non-formal education (particularly in mobility programs) helps reinforce academic education, especially in terms of youth employability.

Keywords: higher education, non-formal education, transversal competences, employability, mobility.