Transformation of the system of higher professional education: challenges and perspectives

In the modern world, the higher education system simultaneously performs two functions: on the one hand, it provides the labor market with a highly qualified workforce, and, on the other hand, it provides citizens with the opportunity for self-development and self-realization. The article is devoted to the issues of improving the Russian system of higher professional education at the present stage of its development: identifying the main challenges facing the Russian higher education system at the present time, and possible directions of its development. Considering the labor market as the main factor in the development of the system of higher and additional vocational education, the authors in the theoretical part consider the methodological foundations of the interaction of the education system and the labor market, focusing on the most important provisions of the theory of human capital, the theory of educational signals, Life-long learning concept. The practical part of the article presents an analysis of the directions of reforming the Russian higher education system over the past thirty years, among which the authors include: modernization of the structure of the education system, changing the terms of study, the list of specialties and areas of training, the names of qualifications; the use of a competence based approach in the development and implementation of educational programs; ensuring the relationship between the education system and the labor market. The authors pay special attention to the analysis of approaches to the development and implementation of educational programs that provide students with the opportunity to obtain several qualifications. At the same time, one of the primary tasks is the institutionalization of the corresponding conceptual and categorical apparatus: academic/educational degree /qualification, professional qualification, as well as the definition of methodological approaches and principles of the formulations of their names. In conclusion, the principal provisions are presented, which, according to the authors, should be taken into account in the framework of the transformation of the higher education system to ensure an effective system of interaction between the labor market and the system of higher professional education.