Professionals in engineering and energy sector in focus

By 2030, Kazakhstan will need roughly 900,000 professionals across various fields, with engineering and educational sectors dominating the demand.

The Ministry of Science and Higher Education has disclosed this information, aiming to address the country's growing socio-economic development.

"We're analyzing the demand for in-demand professionals and those in surplus, calculating the forecast need for qualified personnel, considering the regions' and republic's socio-economic development, and sectoral labor demands across regions and fields of study," the ministry declared in response to an official request from our website.

According to the medium-term forecast until 2030, the nation's economy needs 883,295 specialists, with 529,977 engineers accounting for 60%, 185,491 education professionals making up 21%, and 167,826 specialists from other fields accounting for 19%.

"Considering this, the state order for the next three academic years has been established, taking this forecast into account. For instance, the demand for heat, electrical energy, and water resources engineering professionals is over 3,800, with 3,800 grants allocated accordingly," the Ministry of Education and Science explained.

Previously, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education unveiled the number of grants for the most in-demand specialties for the upcoming academic year. Approximately 19,000 grants will be allocated for engineering, processing, and construction, over 11,000 for information and communication technologies, and over 9,000 for natural sciences, mathematics, and statistics.

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This workforce boom highlights the importance of nurturing Kazakhstan's future engineers and educators. Creating a supportive environment for these professionals—such as providing them with affordable housing, preferential mortgages, and loans for housing—can help ensure their success and prevent post-graduation wanderlust.

However, discussions intermingle with concern over the arrival of "candos," which likely refers to candidates who may lack the necessary qualifications to fill engineering positions. Despite the quantity of newly arriving professionals, some argue that quality should remain a priority.

"If there's government procurement, sign contracts with universities. Reintroduce the distribution of engineers after graduation, at least provide them with dormitories, affordable mortgages, and loans for the first few years. It takes 3-5 years to mold a good engineer. If they have housing issues, they'll wander, leave, or something will happen in their lives. Suddenly, we need engineers," echoes Aizek.

Responding to concerns about the quality of engineering graduates, Vyacheslav Ivanov shares that his granddaughter, a design engineer, has struggled to find work for two years. This underscores a need for improvement in matching job seekers with appropriate opportunities.

Valeriy Yashkov poses a question: What about working professionals or specialists from colleges and vocational schools? Their inclusion in the government's efforts to address the shortage of specialists is a critical aspect to consider.

In the face of these challenges, addressing the skills gaps in technical fields, such as advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, and digital technologies, should be a top priority for policymakers and educators. By focusing on upskilling initiatives, Kazakhstan can ensure its workforce remains competitive and capable of meeting the demands of the future.

Enrichment Data:

Overall:Kazakhstan's labor market is projected to face growing demand for specialists across key sectors, such as engineering, education, healthcare, digital services, and business management, by 2030. Challenges related to skill mismatches, particularly in advanced technology, rural education, and specialized healthcare, must be addressed to ensure a well-prepared workforce. The government's strategic investments in education, digital transformation, and SME support will play a crucial role in tackling these challenges.

Sectoral Demand and Supply Overview:

Engineering and Technical Fields: With Kazakhstan's focus on industrial and technological development, there is rising demand for engineering and technical specialists. However, ongoing concerns exist about skill mismatches, particularly in advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, and digital technologies.
Education Sector: The increasing population and education sector reforms are driving demand for qualified teachers and education administrators. However, rural and remote areas continue to experience shortages of qualified staff.
Healthcare, Digital Services, and Public Administration: The modernization of healthcare, digital services, and public administration is anticipated to fuel demand for IT specialists, data scientists, and public administration professionals.
Business and Entrepreneurship: Rapid growth in SMEs signifies a robust demand for business management, marketing, and e-commerce specialists, with the government aiming to boost their share of GDP to 50% by 2050.

Key Challenges and Indicators:

Unemployment: Although the unemployment rate remains stable, regional and sectoral disparities exist.
Skills Gap: Despite efforts to modernize education, persistent skills gaps persist, particularly in tech-driven sectors.
Government Strategy: The government's "Concept 2030" strategy places emphasis on digital transformation, institutional accountability, and human resource development, signaling ongoing policy support for specialist training and development.

Summary Table:

| Sector | Demand Trend | Supply Trend | Notes ||-----------------------|-----------------------|-----------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|| Engineering/Technical | Increasing | Skills gaps persist | Focus on digital, renewables, construction || Education | Increasing | Shortages, rural/remote | Need for digital/bilingual educators || Healthcare | Increasing | Shortages, especially rural | Driven by demographics and modernization || IT/Digital Services | Rapid increase | Moderate, lagging | High government priority, skills needed || Business/Entrepreneur | Rapid increase (SMEs) | Growing, competitive | Strong SME growth, e-commerce expansion |

The Ministry of Science and Higher Education has stated that the demand for professionals in the finance, energy, and education-and-self-development sectors will be significant by 2030, with the education sector requiring 185,491 professionals, accounting for 21% of the total demand. Considering the impending workforce requirements, the government is prioritizing investment in various sectors, including the education sector, to address the shortage of specialists and ensure a qualified workforce for the future.