Sergei Kravtsov presents awards to college heads on Secondary Vocational Education Day at the National Centre RUSSIA

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An awards ceremony for heads of secondary vocational education institutions was held on 2 October, Secondary Vocational Education Day, as part of the All-Russian Homeroom Teachers' Forum and the School Principals' Forum at the National Centre RUSSIA. Sergei Kravtsov, Minister of Education of the Russian Federation, presented awards to the best managers in the secondary vocational education system.

The President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, congratulated students, teachers and vocational training instructors at vocational education institutions. His message was read out by the head of the Russian Ministry of Education.

"Over the past decades, this education system has trained many generations of skilled workers and entire labour dynasties. Today, such qualified specialists are in high demand in the economy and the social sector. The future of Russian industry and high-tech manufacturing, the strengthening of the country's industrial and defence potential, and the development of the construction sector and housing and utilities directly depend on their knowledge, abilities and skills. It is encouraging that the prestige of skilled trades is growing and that more and more young people are choosing to study at colleges and technical schools. (...) It is important that the secondary vocational education system should continue to remain effective, offering young people broad opportunities for self-realisation and participation in projects for the benefit of Russia," the head of state's message reads.

In his message, Vladimir Putin also noted that since September 2026, "Professionalitet" ("Professional Excellence") has been established as a form of organising educational activities, while employers are actively involved in improving educational programmes and providing practical training for young specialists.

Addressing the participants, Sergei Kravtsov stressed that Russia's secondary vocational education system is one of the best in the world. The federal project "Professionalitet", implemented as part of the "Youth and Children" national project, is the flagship initiative driving the development of the entire secondary vocational education system.

"For some specialities, we have as many as 18 applicants per place. Overall, colleges and technical schools across the country have four applicants per place, while under the 'Professionalitet' project there are five applicants per place. Four million students are studying at our colleges — a figure comparable to the number of students in Soviet times. Today, young people are choosing colleges and want to acquire skilled trades — these qualifications are in demand. Our system is developing and provides a high standard of training and opportunities for self-realisation for everyone who enrols at a college or technical school. I would also like to thank all teachers, vocational training instructors and heads of secondary vocational education institutions for your work," emphasised the head of the Russian Ministry of Education.

During the ceremony, Sergei Kravtsov presented college heads from different regions of the country with the Russian Ministry of Education's "Honorary Mentor" badge.

The departmental award for outstanding achievements in the patriotic education of the younger generation was presented to:

— Tatyana Kupriyanova, Yevgeny Korolev Nizhnekamsk Polytechnic College (Republic of Tatarstan);

— Aidar Faretdinov, Nikolai Lemayev College of Petrochemistry and Oil Refining (Republic of Tatarstan);

— Roman Fomin, Alexander Nikolayev Moscow Automobile and Road Construction College (Moscow);

— Elmira Akhmetova, Vasily Potashov Technical College (Republic of Tatarstan);

— Svetlana Sokolova, Yelabuga Polytechnic College (Republic of Tatarstan);

— Vyacheslav Kantur, Volgograd Technical College (Volgograd Region);

— Ivan Stepanov, Ivan Likhachev Moscow College of Technology (Moscow);

— Ivan Pavlyuk, Pyotr Vostrukhin College of Communications No. 54 (Moscow);

— Sergei Gorbunov, Rostov-on-Don College of Communications and Information Technology (Rostov Region);

— Alexander Zaryvakhin, Penza Agro-Industrial College (Penza Region).

Secondary Vocational Education Day is celebrated in Russia annually on 2 October. The holiday was established by decree of the President of the Russian Federation in 2022 and has become a symbol of recognition of the enormous contribution made by the secondary vocational education system to the country's future. The National Centre RUSSIA hosted events marking Secondary Vocational Education Day as part of the All-Russian Homeroom Teachers' Forum and the School Principals' Forum.