Quality criteria of specialists training within the context of competencydevelopment approach

Introduction. The on-going changes in the Russian Federation have revealed a severe lack of specialists who have expertise and experience in taking decisions under the conditions of market economy, which causes an increased need in such specialists. The solution is possible if there is continuous economic education within the system of professional education. Research Methodology. In the course of the research, a competence-development teaching package has been worked out as a methodological support of continuous economic education, which is now being practically used. The package takes into account the educational level and the educational program specialization, which facilitates an individual's participation in the real economic activity. Research results.In specialists' economic skills development, it is prudent to use both traditional and innovative educational methods and technologies, which will enable to integrate pedagogical science and practice of continuous economic education and consider the succession of professional education levels and sublevels. The diversity of educational techniques will allow a teacher to realize educational goals and objectives. Discussion. The level of students' economic competencesdevelopment was measured in accordance with three criteria: the cognitive criterion, personal motivational criterion and creative activity criterion. Each of the criteria reveals through a system of empirical indexes which reflect the degree to which a particular component is developed. Conclusion. Continuous economic education is an obligatory part of continuous professional education, which is focused on developing a competitive, economically competent specialist, who is in demand in the labor market. © 2018