Photographers, beekeepers and plasterers: in-demand professions of RT until 2023

Emphasis — on qualification

The list of professions and specialties, which are directly connected with the priority directions of development of economy of the Republic for 2017-2023 has recently been approved. The decree of the Cabinet of Ministers the Republic of Tatarstan was signed in March of 2016.

It should help to improve the mechanism of state order for specialists training. The list includes specialties of secondary and higher education, as well as of programmes of express training.

The full list is published on the official website of legal information of the Republic of Tatarstan. On the basis of this document a number of Republican Ministries should establish a student intake for 2017/2018. In the list there is a significant predominance of working professions. The list includes skilled workers of 135 specialties and specialists of middle level of 177 specialties. Among professions requiring higher education – 72 specialties of bachelor degree course, 39 specialists and 5 masters.

In the list there are not only working and engineering specialties, but also creative professions – for example, a photographer, a jeweler, an actor, a choreographer, a musician, a sculptor, also specialties in agriculture – for example, a beekeeper. Science also is not deprived of attention – there are specialists on nuclear energy, robotics, clinical medicine etc.

The list of in-demand professions of Tatarstan is designed to help regulate the flow of applicants and to increase the prestige of working professions

To stop the unemployment rising

In Tatarstan, the number of unemployed registered in the employment centers increased by almost 13% since the beginning of the year. According to the press service of the Ministry, on 1 March of 2016, employers of the Republic declared 24 700 vacancies, including 17 300 new jobs for workers. On 9 March, 18 600 people are registered as unemployed in the employment centers of the Republic. From 24 February to 1 March of 2016, in Tatarstan 1 090 people were officially declared as unemployed. 536 residents of the Republic have left their positions voluntarily, 59 people lost their jobs due to a liquidation of organization or staff reduction.

Today, the official unemployment rate in Tatarstan is 0.9% of the economically active population, according to the press service of the Ministry of Labor of RT.

'According to HeadHunter, today in Kazan there are only 1.7 CVs for one open vacancy for workers. In the Republic — 1.4 CVs for one vacancy, which indicates shortages of workers in the local labor market,' says Natalya Parfyonova, the head of the press service of the Kazan branch office of HeadHunter.

According to the Ministry of Labor of the Republic, today in Tatarstan the most demanded specialists of the following profiles: a driver – 1 200 jobs (an average wage – 23 600 rubles), a concrete worker – 1 100 workplaces (15 800), a fitter – 844 jobs (15 700), a plasterer – 855 jobs (15 300), a fitter of technological pipelines – 855 workplaces (21 000).

Now in Tatarstan there is a certain rise of unemployment

According to the website for a job and staff search Superjob.ru, in March 2016 in the Republic of Tatarstan most of the vacancies are in sales – 24.9%, in the second place – the industry and manufacturing – 13%, the third – working staff – 11.7% of the vacancies.

The distribution of the number of vacancies in the Republic of Tatarstan in March 2016

'Material and non-material motivation of future graduates is needed to close the shortage of specialists'

The experts believe that the list of specialties is an important step towards changing the situation on the labour market. To enhance the prestige of working and engineering professions the measures are necessary such as career guidance from school age, strengthening the cooperation of schools and universities with large enterprises, the introduction of incentives and salary increase.

Natalia Khismatullina, the director of recruitment agency Express:

'As we can see, the list includes quite a lot of working professions. I can say that working professions are in demand among employers, but not popular among the population. In other words, while the prestige of working professions is low, and young professionals and graduates are not eager to start a career in manufacturing at the initial positions. Wages in manufacturing have increased, however, as long as this level does not suit the specialists who have many other prospects to choose from. In order to change the situation, we need to do a lot of work over a long time. In Tatarstan it has already being implemented – so, I hope, it is possible to make optimistic outlook. We can see some initiatives from the local authorities, as well as from large companies (factories) and educational institutions who cooperate for training. We do have dynamics, positive results in the promotion of working professions among the population, however, the demographic crisis, of course, complicates the situation. While the working population (aged approximately from 22 years) consciously refuses to work in production but we can hope for those who finish high school in the next few years. Of course, under the condition that the work to increase the prestige of working and engineering specialties will be enhanced. It is necessary to offer certain motivational programmes, benefits that attract young and promising specialists.'

If to talk about our practice, our clients often talk about shortages of workers. Such jobs are hard to close: it is much easier and less costly to hire a low-skilled technician and to train him than to find a worker of high qualification. Tatarstan companies are often willing to relocate candidates, that is, to invite employees from other cities. However, in other regions the situation is the same. As for engineering specialties, employers also note a shortage, but it's less pronounced.

The labor market experts are sure: the regional and federal programmes are able to reduce the shortage of personnel, business and engineering specialists in a few years significantly

Renat Khikmatov, Dean of Economic Department of the Kazan Innovative University named after V. G. Timiryasov, docent, Candidate of Economic Sciences:

'The list of in-demand professions and specialties complying with priority directions of development of economy of the Republic of Tatarstan for 2017-2023 – it is a document that allows young people to be guided in choosing a future career, and educational organizations – to choose the direction of development. The list turned out to be quite lengthy, that takes into account the projected staffing needs of all sectors of the economy of Tatarstan. Such lists used to be formed earlier as well, but the distinguishing feature of this document is that it gives absolute priority to professions and occupations that require professional competencies, which are formed at the level of professional training and secondary vocational education. This situation is ruled by the dynamic development trends in the economy – employers need professionals with advanced applied skills, able to 'work by hands' and that way to contribute to the implementation of all points of the Strategy of socio-economic development of Tatarstan Republic until 2030. Strategy-2030 sets the task to realize the cadre potential of the region and entrepreneurship in industries, transport infrastructure, tourism and hospitality industry. In this respect, the list of in-demand professions and specialties should be considered as guidance for admissions committees of professional educational institutions integrated in the socio-economy processes of our Republic. By the way, we have identified that the labour market of South-Eastern economic zone of Tatarstan in the nearest future will not feel the need for specialists with higher education, so the Academic Council of the University took the logical decision to stop the implementation of higher education programmes in Chistopol, Bugulma and Almetyevsk branches. These branches will focus on high-quality implementation of the in-demand programmes of secondary vocational education and additional education programmes that will provide more opportunities for successful employment. We are planning together with municipal authorities and industry enterprises-employers to review and structure of students admission.'

Natalya Kurkchi, a partner of the recruiting company Antal Russia:

'This list of professions is determined by the emphasis on the development of production and agriculture, as well as the competition between regions for attracting investors. Today many people understand that the investment attractiveness of a region consists not only of lowering the tax burden on a business or providing companies with other benefits but also of favourable situation on the labor market. The region that is better developed and in which the employer is more likely to attract the necessary specialists will eventually win. The fact that Tatarstan plans at the state level, what specialists will be required for successful development – it is a very good tendency.'

Speaking of in-demand specialists, we would like to note that employers often need not just people of specific professions with specific skill set. Companies are looking for people with such competencies as flexibility, ability to integrate into work and to organize processes, focusing on results.

Traditionally, shortage of specialists is felt in manufacturing, where very often there is a lack of technical and commercial professionals. Agriculture often requires specialists that can't be found in any other region, so they also often face with the shortage of personnel. Also, the specialists are needed in the service sector (shops, restaurants, hotel business). Many in their youth worked as a waiter, but it was temporary. Now there is a need for people who will perceive this work as a profession, treat it seriously and develop in the chosen field.

Vladislav Gladenkov, a chief specialist of the press service of the website to find work Superjob.ru:

'Since 2015, employers started to focus recruitment on qualification of an applicant, the mass recruitment becomes a thing of the past. Therefore, the term 'demand' is not measured by a number of job vacancies but by qualifications of applicants. In general, a candidate with the highest professional level will find a job faster even if the market goes not in favor of the applicants. For an employee with knowledge and skills below average, the search will be delayed even with significant number of vacancies.'

The material was prepared with the assistance of the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Protection of RT. Photo: the press service of the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Protection of RT.