Recent discussions — including those at the Industrial Council with the participation of the Head of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic, Rashid Temrezov, and the regional Minister of Industry, Murat Gapov — once again confirmed the overall trend: Russian enterprises need well-trained specialists, and demand for them continues to grow.

Industrial Growth Outpaces the Labour Market

According to regional ministries of industry, over the past two years enterprises in several regions have actively invested in modernization:

• billions of rubles in private and public investments have been directed into industry,
• Industrial Development Funds are supporting dozens of enterprises,
• new jobs are being created, including high-tech positions.

However, it is precisely in these growth areas that companies face a shortage of qualified personnel.
This challenge is typical nationwide and is particularly evident in professions connected with modern equipment and engineering infrastructure, such as:

• welders and installation specialists,
• high-altitude and industrial workers,
• CNC machine operators,
• technicians servicing engineering systems,
• automation and unmanned systems specialists.

Earlier, Minister of Labour Anton Kotyakov reported that Russia will need over 136,000 welders in the next five years, and more than one million specialists across industrial and agricultural sectors combined.

Education and Industry Must Work Together

Rashid Temrezov emphasized that enterprises must receive specialists who enter the profession already equipped with the necessary competencies.
Following the Industrial Council meeting, he instructed regional authorities to expand practice-oriented training:

• increase targeted training programs for students,
• organize site visits and hands-on practice for school and university students,
• update college and university curricula through direct collaboration with employers.

This approach aligns with federal recommendations: Kotyakov previously noted that industry needs not just traditional labour professions, but a new generation of workers — those who can operate digital systems, modern equipment, automated platforms, and robotic complexes.

Why Workforce Development Has Become a Priority

Modernization is underway nationwide, and the pace of industrial growth today directly depends on the availability of qualified personnel.
Employers expect specialists who:

• confidently work with machinery and equipment,
• understand safety standards,
• can rapidly adapt to technological change.

Therefore, training, retraining, and upskilling programs are becoming key elements of Russia’s industrial policy.
Without the development of professional education, it is impossible to ensure stable sectoral growth, launch new projects, or maintain technological sovereignty.