Promotion of employment of foreign students and graduates in Vilnius

Problem

Talent is in short supply in many parts of the world and Lithuania is no exception. For instance, according to data gathered by the association Infobalt, in 2021, Lithuania experienced a shortage of IT professionals amounting to 15,000 people. Moreover, this and other specialist shortages are set to increase.

The number of international students in Lithuania grows every year. According to STRATA, there are currently 7,702 foreign citizens studying in Lithuania (2021-2022 academic year). The majority of these students are enrolled in the health sciences (2,168), business and public management (1,857), and engineering and computer science (1,247). However, only 7% of international students stay in Lithuania to work and live upon graduation (in 2021-2022, this would amount to 539 international students). Lithuania is a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), where member states record an average of 25% of international students remaining in their host country after graduation.

One way for companies in Lithuania to attract talent is to hire internationals who have completed their studies in Lithuania.

For these reasons, understanding the business perspective is important to improve the integrative process of international students. In the light of the experience and observations of employers and experts, it is necessary to find ways to facilitate recruitment practices. Hence, the retention of international students (graduates) and highly qualified talents in Lithuania will be improved.

Goal

A set of practical solutions will promote the integration of international students and graduates into the labour market in Vilnius.

Project files

Result

Participants

2021/22

Vilius Šlapelis