Kazakhstan Boosts Vocational Training as Demand for Blue-Collar Workers Surges

Kazakhstan is experiencing a growing demand for blue-collar workers, particularly in the construction, agriculture, manufacturing, and healthcare sectors, according to Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Protection Askar Biakhmetov.

In 2024, a total of 979,000 job seekers found employment in Kazakhstan, including 714,000 individuals who secured permanent jobs, Biakhmetov stated.

Kazakhstan’s Labor Market Development Concept aims to increase the number of high-quality, well-paid jobs from 2.5 million in 2024 to 3.8 million by 2029.

To achieve this, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection has expanded vocational training programs:

In 2023, 67,500 people participated in short-term vocational courses
The Skills Enbek online training platform trained 57,700 people, of whom 14,600 secured jobs after completing their courses
The platform currently offers 858 online courses, including 311 free courses, aimed at helping individuals gain new skills or improve their qualifications
Kazakhstan has declared 2025 the “Year of Blue-Collar Professions” to highlight the importance of vocational careers. “The total demand for labor over the next six years is estimated at 1.6 million workers. Of these, around 900,000 jobs will require vocational education, while more than 400,000 positions will be in blue-collar professions,” Biakhmetov stated.

Meanwhile, the government is taking steps to reduce reliance on foreign labor. Svetlana Zhakupova, Minister of Labor and Social Protection, announced that Kazakhstan’s annual foreign labor quota will be reduced from 22,000 to 15,000 in 2025.

As Kazakhstan continues to modernize its labor market, the government is prioritizing workforce development through training initiatives and employment programs, ensuring sufficient skilled labor for the country’s growing economy.

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