Building human capital – a strategic vector for development

The head of state has repeatedly emphasized the need to improve the dual education model – a tool that has already begun to yield tangible results and open up new opportunities. Speaking at the fourth session of the National Kurultai, the President noted: “We need to expand opportunities for young people, strengthen career guidance, and create conditions for obtaining sought-after blue-collar professions.”

Last year, in his Address to the People of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stressed that training for industry must keep pace with the scale and speed of economic development. “Qualified personnel must be trained not only in universities, but also in technical and vocational education institutions,” the President said.

This position sets the tone for the entire reform of technical and vocational education: colleges should become full-fledged vocational training centers that provide the economy with specialists. And here, the role of partnership mechanisms between the state, business, and educational institutions is increasing.

The dual system, introduced in Kazakhstan about ten years ago, is now being given new content and management mechanisms. Its advantage is obvious: students learn theory at college and practice in real production.

Talgat Bazarbekov, Director of the Executive Directorate of the Association of Kazakhstan Machinery Industry, confirms that this model is becoming increasingly popular.

“The dual system allows students not only to see production, but to become part of it. We are seeing growing interest among young people in practical training, and companies are willing to take on more students and invest in their training,” he notes.

The dual education system has been implemented in 552 colleges across the country with the participation of over 18,000 enterprises, including leading companies in the fields of mechanical engineering, construction, energy, IT, and services. This number will continue to grow. This approach is in line with the President's strategic goal of creating jobs and strengthening the human resources potential of industry.

The joint efforts of the ministries of education, industry, and construction, industry associations, and businesses have resulted in a roadmap for training specialists for the machine-building industry.

“The document was developed in close cooperation with the Association of Kazakhstan Machinery Industry, enterprises, and relevant ministries. The roadmap pays particular attention to pilot projects in Kostanay, Kokshetau, and Petropavlovsk, which are designed to update approaches to dual education. Pilot projects help us find optimal solutions and better understand the needs of the industry," Talgat Bazarbekov explained.

A representative of the Association of Kazakhstan Machinery Industry explains that students will spend 60% of their study time at the enterprise and 40% at the educational institution. Practical training is being strengthened, colleges are being equipped with modern equipment, and production specialists are being involved in teaching. This enables graduates to become true professionals without additional training after hiring.

“The roadmap also provides for the creation of certification centers where graduates will confirm their qualifications. This will strengthen employer confidence and increase the mobility of specialists in the labor market,” says the expert.

According to Kairbek Ayashev, head of the forecasting and research department at the Labor Resources Development Center, the annual influx of young people into the labor market in Kazakhstan is about 220,000–230,000 people and will grow to 300,000 by 2030, which is almost one and a half times the current level. This requires the expansion of jobs, especially in industry, and creates serious obligations for the state and society.

To analyze staffing needs, a classification of occupations is used, which divides professions into ten groups. Particular attention is paid to blue-collar professions in the sixth, seventh, and eighth groups. These are farmers and workers in agriculture, forestry, fish farming, and fishing; workers in industry, construction, transport, and related industries; production equipment operators, assemblers, and drivers.

The largest number of workers with vocational education are concentrated in trade, industry, construction, transport, and warehousing—about 2.5 million people. By 2030, the demand for personnel will be 1.8 million people, of which approximately 1 million will be specialists with technical education.

It is important to note that modern mechanical engineering requires more than just traditional skills. Digitalisation and robotic systems are developing at an ever-increasing pace. In this regard, Talgat Bazarbekov draws attention to the need to update programmes.

“We are in favor of updating educational programs, increasing the number of hours of industrial practice, and introducing courses on industrial automation. We need to look ahead; new technologies are coming very quickly, and we need specialists who are ready to master them,” he emphasized.

These workers will form the backbone of new enterprises created as part of the state's industrial policy.

Approaches to financing vocational education are also changing. State orders are supplemented by targeted orders from employers, as well as by the colleges' own revenues. The latter are generated by mini-enterprises: sewing workshops, furniture workshops, and bakeries. Their products are in demand, and students simultaneously gain practical experience and important skills, from communication to financial literacy. This strengthens the competitiveness of the workforce and provides educational organizations with an incentive for development.

Rebooting the dual education system is a key step towards strengthening industry and creating a sustainable economy. As Talgat Bazarbekov says, it is now important for us to implement a model in which enterprises receive trained specialists and graduates gain confidence in their professional future.

This position is fully in line with the strategic course of the President, who has repeatedly stated that investing in human capital is an investment in industry, the economy, and the well-being of citizens.