Lack of highly-qualified experts unlikely to be solved over coming years, as almost all spheres of our economy face a shortage: not only state structures, but small and medium-sized businesses
Lathe operators trained at Gomel’s Technical Training College #144
The reasons behind the shortage include those relating to demographics (low birth rate) and the outflow of experts (moving abroad). Meanwhile, those who are well-qualified command very high salaries, since companies are ‘held to ransom’. Even electricians are able to charge high rates, being short in supply, and are being ‘forgiven’ such behaviour as absenteeism, or arriving drunk at work, since it is so difficult to fill vacancies.
The Government believes it is time to raise the prestige of such vocational work, as emphasised by Prime Minister Mikhail Myasnikovich, speaking to the board of the Ministry of Education, in Mogilev, at a meeting devoted to the training of people for technical professions.
Clearly, new syllabuses and courses are required at specialised secondary schools, to meet demand for essential works. Mr. Myasnikovich asserts that such training should acquire the prestige it deserves, and be viewed as desirable, in the same way that university education is prized.
Just one year ago, the Government set the task before the Ministry of Education to organise continuous training in vocational and other studies: from gymnasium and lyceum level, through to college and higher education. “Education should prepare a person for independent life, and direct them towards professions needed in the economy,” the Prime Minister is convinced. “Belarus has an oversupply of lawyers, economists and designers, but very few engineers or agricultural specialists. We must show the advantage of these professions.”
