Introduction. The article presents the criteria for selecting graduates of vocational educational organisations for priority continuation of studies at universities that implement specialised training programmes for government employees. The expansion of the pool of potential candidates for the civil service by including college students corresponds to the increasing demand for comprehensive qualifications that combine fundamental theoretical training and general competences for career development with deep practical training that distinguishes the best vocational education programmes. The authors used the methodology of ‘reverse design’: the list of criteria is derived from the reference competence profile of a civil servant.
Aim. The aim of the study was to substantiate the criteria framework for the selection of graduates of vocational educational programmes capable of obtaining qualifications necessary for public service.
Methods. The methods of analysis of the content of regulatory documents, systematisation of relevant legal information, scientific and methodological sources, modelling of the system of requirements, expert assessment and pairwise comparisons are used.
Results. The study has compiled and substantiated a list of criteria that is useful not only for selecting college graduates and building their ‘seamless’ educational trajectory, but also for identifying potential candidates for continuing their studies at university and for consistently developing their competences relevant to government employees.
Scientific novelty. A criteria-based approach to the selection of college graduates — potential university applicants — has been substantiated; a criteria system has been developed, accompanied by descriptors and recommendations for their assessment, ensuring timely identification and advanced training of young people predisposed and motivated to pursue public service.
Practical significance. The results of the study can be used by educational organisations to organise work on identifying and selecting potential applicants for civil service-related areas of training.