THE LEVEL AND POTENTIAL FOR DEVELOPING THE COMPETENCIES OF PRE-RETIREMENT-AGE INDIVIDUALS IN POLAND

Competencies, which can be defined as the knowledge, skills, attitudes and experience acquired throughout one’s professional and personal life, can influence how people in the pre-retirement age prepare for and experience this stage of life. This paper aims to analyse the level of competencies of people at pre-retirement age in Poland, and to identify opportunities for their further development. It presents theoretical approaches to competence and the results of the authors' own questionnaire-based research with Polish men and women in this age group. Data analysis revealed the respondents’ competencies, digital literacy, foreign language proficiency and driving skills, the latter as evidenced by possession of a driving licence. It also provided insight into their plans for future development and their attitudes towards learning. The research results indicate a relatively high level of competence among Polish men and women of pre-retirement age. However, most respondents do not intend to participate in training in the near future, and almost 40% believe that older people find it difficult to learn. Furthermore, the majority of individuals of pre-retirement age express reluctance to continue working after becoming eligible for retirement. Those with the highest qualifications demonstrated a more proactive attitude towards their own development and future career.