In Kazakhstan, almost one in three college graduates with vocational qualifications remains unemployed, according to infohub.kz.
At a government meeting, Education Minister Zholdas Suleimenova reported that out of 51,000 graduates, only 34,600 found jobs, which is 68%. The remaining 16,400 did not.
Even in the list of the most "successful" professions, the figures are far from ideal: tailor – 79%, cook – 77%, pastry chef – 76%, electrician and tractor driver – 70% each, electrician (specialized) – 68%, seamstress and auto repair mechanic – 66% each, electric gas welder – 65%, and computer operator – only 56%.
That is, even among those officially considered in demand, nearly half of graduates in some specialties remain unemployed.
"Overall, the employment rate for graduates with vocational qualifications was 68.0%, up by 3 percentage points," the minister noted.
At the same time, there is a serious imbalance in the labor market. In construction, the need is 102,000 specialists, but only 22,400 are being trained (demand is 4.5 times higher). In agriculture, 73,000 specialists are needed, but only 12,700 students are enrolled (5.7 times less than demand).
"This disparity requires redistribution of state orders in line with the staffing needs of regions and industries," Suleimenova emphasized.
The minister stated that the main goal now is to align vocational training as closely as possible with the demands of the economy and production.