NZ to Learn from Russia’s Solution to Skills Shortage

29 Jun 2017

Robert Urazov, Director General WorldSkills Russia, comes to New Zealand at the end of the month to share how the organisation has successfully become the skills development engine for economic and industrial growth for the Russian Federation within the past three years.

In Russia, WorldSkills provides a comprehensive framework for skills competition over a range of ages. Moreover, it serves as a benchmark for technical and vocational education and training (TVET), with systems in place for end-to-end quality monitoring and assessment.

The Union of Young Professionals or WorldSkills Russia, was established by the order of the Government of the Russian Federation on 8 October 2014, with the aim of increasing the prestige of vocational occupations and developing vocational education.

Eighty-four regions of the Russian Federation have subsequently joined WorldSkills Russia. More than 236 regional competitions have been held in four years; with winners going on to participate in four national competitions. More than 40,000 students from secondary vocational institutions attended the competitions.

Skill competitions in Russia have a multi-level system: Junior Skills for children 10-17 years of age, with 58 competitions; regional, semi-finals, and national competitions in 81 skills for students 18-22 years old; and 25 competitions for young professionals aged 18-28 in companies, industries, and industry blocks.

Within a span of three years, more than 250 companies have joined the industrial block or WorldSkills Hi-Tech, an annual gathering of young workers from the largest industrial enterprises from 45 regions actively engaged in technical re-equipment and developing manufacturing standards.

In the EuroSkills 2016 (Europe’s largest biennial skills event with 500 young competitors across 35 skills competitions) that was held in Sweden, WorldSkills Russia ranked first in overall standings. An impressive result of the country’s united efforts in developing trade and vocational skills.

So much so that Russia will be hosting the WorldSkills International Competition 2019 in Kazan.

With the hope of learning from the experience of Russia and help advance New Zealand’s skills development and economy, WorldSkills New Zealand organised Urazov’s presentations in two locations:

• Auckland – 29 June, 11am -12.30pm, at The Skills Organisation in East Tamaki
• Wellington – 30 June, 11am – 12.30pm, at the Service IQ Head Office

View his presentation here.

About Robert Urazov
With a management degree from the Kazan State University in 2001, Robert Urazov forged ahead in helping lead Russia’s economic and business development.

He worked his way up within the Tatarstan Branch of the Pension Fund of the Russian Federation, which consequently opened the doors for him to head the office of financial services of the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security of the Republic of Tatarstan – and become the Vice Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Security of the Republic of Tatarstan. Afterward, Robert became the assistant of the Minister for Development of the Russian Far East.

Along the way, he supplemented his education by acquiring a PhD in Economics; was granted a scholarship to the Innovational Management internship programme in Germany, an internship in the UK on organisational and technological aspects of civil service; and took a Master of Public Management Programme in Russia.

He led the organisation of WorldSkills Russia in 2012-2013 and has been its Director General since 2014.