Kazakhstan continues to have a need for specialists in industry, construction, agriculture and the information technology sector. Minister of Education Zholdas Suleimenova stated that this situation must be taken into account when allocating the state order for training at colleges.
WHICH SPECIALISTS THE ECONOMY NEEDS
As Zholdas Suleimenova reported at a Government meeting, by 2035 Kazakhstan's economy will need 2.9 million workers, of whom 1.8 million will be people in manual trades.
The need in individual sectors is as follows:
- industry — 183 thousand new workers;
- construction — 102 thousand;
- agriculture — 73 thousand;
- information technology (IT) sector — 12 thousand
HOW MANY STUDENTS ARE TRAINING IN THESE FIELDS
Currently, 22.4 thousand Kazakhstani citizens are studying construction-related specialisms, while 12.7 thousand people are studying agriculture.
According to Zholdas Suleimenova, these figures need to be taken into account when allocating the state educational order. The Minister stated that its focus must be adjusted to reflect the economy's staffing needs.
HOW MANY STUDENTS ARE GAINING MANUAL TRADE QUALIFICATIONS
Training for manual trade qualifications is provided by 480 colleges in Kazakhstan. More than 131 thousand students are enrolled there.
Of these, 103 thousand students, or 79%, entered college after Year 9. In the current academic year, admissions to manual trade qualifications rose to 57 thousand students.
WHAT CHANGES HAVE AFFECTED COLLEGES
The programmes of 27 colleges have already undergone assessment for compliance with international industry standards. By the end of 2027, a further 30 colleges will have been assessed.
At the same time, the state educational order is growing. In the 2023–2024 academic year it stood at 344.9 thousand places, in the 2024–2025 academic year at 374.3 thousand, and in the 2025–2026 academic year it reached 393.3 thousand places.
Over three years, the increase amounted to 48.4 thousand places, or 14%.
WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THE NUMBER OF GRADUATES
The number of graduates has also increased. In the 2023–2024 academic year there were 141.3 thousand graduates, while in the 2025–2026 academic year there were 169.2 thousand.
Among the above-mentioned specialisms, the highest employment rates were recorded for tailors at 79% and cooks at 77%.
According to the Ministry of Education, Kazakhstan's annual economic demand for staff up to 2030 will be 225–256 thousand people.
