Functional competencies of military university cadets: concept and essence

Abstract

Based on the analysis of the ideas about the content and structure of professional competencies that have developed in Russian pedagogical science, the article suggests the author's approach to defining the concept of "functional competencies within the framework of the modern educational paradigm. A brief description of the essence of this concept is given. This approach is based on a rethinking of the experience gained in pedagogy, which has made it possible to interpret professional competencies more broadly with an emphasis on their practice-oriented component. Functional competencies allow us to consider the interaction of educational subjects not only as a process of knowledge transfer, but also as a system of multidimensional training of a person capable of productive performance of professional duties in changing conditions. At the same time, socio-cultural characteristics, the level of digitalization and the actual needs of the labor market are taken into account, which determines the importance of individual adaptation to new challenges and innovative trends. The importance of functional competencies also stems from the need for lively interaction between students and specialists in various fields, where special emphasis is placed on the practical value of the acquired knowledge, skills and abilities. An expanded understanding of functional competencies, unlike the traditional one, presupposes not only the presence of a basic set of professional qualities, but also the ability to flexibly use them in any environment, which ultimately contributes to increasing the competitiveness of graduates of educational institutions in local and global markets.