The article deals with the role of universities from the perspective of socio-economic development of society on the basis of the "triple helix" model. The work of educational structures (universities) is considered as a complex network of interaction with: other universities; multi-level educational organizations; enterprises, business, government agencies. The authors identify areas, possible forms and results of interaction between the University and various partners for the formation of youth labor activity. A number of examples in this article are based on the experience of the Department of "personnel Management" of the Moscow Aviation Institute.