Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov visited the site where the national competition WorldSkills Kazakhstan 2024 among college students on the level of competence in industry-specific working professions is held.

The concept of the event is aimed at co-operation between students of vocational colleges and enterprises to test the quality of training, skills to ensure potential employment, including in large international companies.

Head of the Government, speaking to the participants of the championship, emphasised the relevance of the knowledge they receive.

"The Year of working professions announced by the President proves the special importance of technical and vocational education for the whole country. The Government has set ambitious tasks to modernise the structure of the economy. For this purpose, we need qualified domestic personnel: power engineers, construction workers, agricultural workers, transport and water industry workers. At the same time, it is important to be ready for the challenges of digital transformation and technological progress. Therefore, our common task is to unite all the resources of society, and in this direction we will support our youth and similar events," Olzhas Bektenov noted and expressed his gratitude to the companies that showed their interest and created specialised zones for students to demonstrate their skills.

A meeting with the leadership of colleges was also held here, during which the topical issues of training to improve the quality of education were discussed. This year students of Almaty Construction and Technical College, Astana Polytechnic Higher College, Kazakhmys Corporation Polytechnic College, College of Radio Engineering and Communications of Abay region Education Department, Khalel Uzbekgaliev Higher Polytechnic College of Mangystau region and others are taking part in the championship.

According to the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population, the total demand for human resources up to 2030 reaches 1.8 million people, of which about 1 million workers are required with technical education. The greatest demand is expected in the construction, agriculture and manufacturing industries. This year on the fields of the national championship WorldSkills Kazakhstan 555 contestants demonstrate their skills in 30 competences, including electronics, industrial automation, mechatronics, engineering graphics, confectionery, electrical installation, welding technologies, web technologies and IT solutions for business, fashion technologies.

On the instructions of the Head of State, much attention is paid to improving the quality of training for working professions. In 2024, 142,500 students were enrolled in colleges at the expense of the budget - 1.5 times more than in 2023. A dual system of education is being introduced, under which agreements have been concluded with 496 colleges and more than 7,000 enterprises to train 75,000 students. From 1 September, college students' stipends have been increased by 50% of the previous year's level. In addition, this year alone, projects are being implemented to build 8 hostels for 2,103 places for TVET.

Within the framework of implementation of the tasks set by the Head of State on the Year of working professions, following the results of the inspection and conversation with the participants, Prime Minister instructed the Minister of Education together with the Akimat of Astana to create a National Competence Centre to support and develop students of TVET. The Centre will act as a dialogue platform for business and training system, as well as become a training base for participation in international competitions of professional skills.

#The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan #Education