The session «Education for a new reality» was held at Expoforum as part of the X All-Russian Forum «National Qualifications System of Russia». University rectors and representatives of relevant associations discussed how and what to teach young people in the face of staff shortages.

Yaroslav Kuzminov, moderator of the session, Head of the Working Group of the National Council for the Development of Vocational Education and Training in the National Qualifications System, Scientific Director of the National Research University of Higher School of Economics, set the discussion vector, outlining development trends.

According to him, for many years the labor market has been the «buyer’s market» [of the employer], and now it is the «seller’s market» [of the applicant], and employers’ interest is beginning to shift to graduates. The expert noted that companies are starting to train employees at the workplace, come to educational institutions, and offer practical training to young professionals.

Ekaterina Kharchenko, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Science and Higher Education of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, recalled that since 2023, on behalf of the President of the Russian Federation, a pilot project has been underway to transform the higher education system, which currently involves 6 leading universities in the country. According to her, a major reform of higher education will affect the development of the national system of professional qualifications.

«We need to ensure the synchronization of processes, it’s time to join forces. Within the framework of the new model, it is necessary to correctly determine the place of the bachelor’s degree in the qualification system, to separate the levels and sublevels of vocational education system and higher professional education system, and to think about the trajectories of graduates of the specialty. In the coming years, it is necessary to bring educational and professional standards closer to 90 % compliance. I invite everyone to take an active part in the development of a new strategy for the development of education until 2040!», E. Kharchenko said.

Evgeny Ivashkevich, the rector of the Central University, shared the experience of this university, created on the initiative of T-Bank. He stressed that knowledge should have an application in business and solve business problems, as well as the fact that businesses need new specialists, not «intellectual wells».

«The task of business is to find a balance, and modern universities do not always understand the demand of business. We have implemented a STEM philosophy at our university – it is a focus on the problem, multidisciplinary, critical thinking. We hold contests for schoolchildren, offer grants, and each student can choose three levels of study in each subject. Students choose a specialty during their studies, and then they go on internships in 40 partner companies», E. Ivashkevich said.

According to him, the concept of lean learning is being implemented at the Central University: they are trying to properly orient students and not lose them.

«The university’s task is to combine the wishes of schoolchildren, parents and teachers with the harsh needs of business. The university should be a bridge that connects everyone!», he said.

Andrey Shabanov, Deputy Director of the Russian Railways Corporate University, shared his experience in improving corporate management skills training.

«It is sometimes difficult for businesses to talk to educational organizations. The corporate university is able to help build this dialogue», he said. The expert spoke about the training formats at the Russian Railways Corporate University, the organization of internships, and the joint training of railway workers and managers.

Svetlana Gruznykh, Deputy Governor of the Tomsk Region for Social Policy, demonstrated the experience of the Tomsk region, which is a powerful scientific and educational complex. In her opinion, classroom education today should be transferred into practice. The expert spoke about her experience working with graduates of three Tomsk universities in the field of «Technosphere Safety».

«We have seen gaps between the needs of employers and the qualifications of graduates. We concluded agreements with universities, began to hold competitions on labor protection, and evaluate graduates’ qualifications based on an independent assessment of qualifications. The experience is successful!», S. Gruznykh said.

Lyubov Dukhanina, Chairman of the Council for Professional Qualifications in Education, spoke about the challenges of the modern world in the context of education. Demographic, geopolitical challenges, as well as the development of technology and digitalization are changing the education system, she noted.

«Children forget how to ask questions by the 9th grade, and the uncontrolled use of artificial intelligence does not allow us to assess the student’s progress», she warned.

The expert noted that educational organizations should provide students with the opportunity to obtain several qualifications within the framework of one program, and shared her successful experience in combining an IQA and a demonstration exam, and talked about conducting a SFE-IQA in higher pedagogical education.

Natalia Bayda, Head of the Committee for the Independent Assessment of CPC Qualifications in the Mining and Metallurgical Complex, presented a model for the development of the instruments of the national qualifications system in the MMC. She noted that in this industry, technical experts are deeply involved in all stages of the assessment.

«An independent assessment of qualifications is a targeted tool for developing the professional skills of workers. In 2024, the assessment will be available in our industry centers for more than 40 professions», N. Bayda said.

Dmitry Kuznetsov, Director of the Higher School of Law and Administration at the Higher School of Economics, said that a new type of leadership is needed today, capable of responding to the challenges of the new world.

«The further the story of the National Qualifications System develops, the more challenges there are. It is important that universities and CPC begin to cooperate in preparing for an independent assessment of qualifications. Classical universities are starting to lose – a new configuration will be formed: if classical universities want to survive, they must become intellectual corporations, they need both funding and personnel for this. It is important that the education system and the system of national qualifications start working in unison», Dmitry Kuznetsov said.

«We must anticipate the problems and trends of the future and focus on them», concluded
Ya. Kuzminov.

The event was organized by the National Agency for Qualifications Development (NAQD) ANO and the National Council for Professional Qualifications under the President of the Russian Federation, and the Ministry of Labor of the Russian Federation.