The ways to attract young professionals to the regions discussed at the National Centre RUSSIA

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. How to make the regions attractive to college graduates was discussed on 2 October during the panel discussion "Secondary Vocational Education Day. Profession as a Calling".
 
The discussion brought together representatives of the professional community, heads of secondary vocational education institutions, college graduates and teachers, bloggers and employers. One of the key issues was how to retain skilled professionals in the regions of the Russian Federation. During the event, successful regional practices for professional development and career growth in various sectors were presented.

Photo: Sergei Khakimov, Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA

The moderator of the meeting, television presenter Andrei Malakhov, noted that the outflow of talented young people from the regions remains a pressing issue:
 
"I kept coming back to my small hometown of Apatity and thinking that someone had to start doing something for it. And the main question is how to keep young people who, just as I once did, want to go to Moscow. And the key people here are tilers, welders — those who know how to work with their hands. This is a long-term endeavour. It is a special mission."
 
The experience of the Smolensk Region was presented by the Governor of the region, Vasily Anokhin. He stressed that youth policy is one of the regional government's priorities. It is no coincidence that the region officially holds the title of Russia's Youth Capital 2026.

Photo: Sergei Khakimov, Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA

"This year, we began introducing a practice whereby every class goes on an off-site career guidance visit each week. These may be visits to enterprises, memorial sites or museums. And every month, children travel to another district of the region. This is done so that they know what is happening here in the Smolensk Region and learn about notable historical figures from our region. So I would say that the cornerstone is pride in the place you come from," said Vasily Anokhin.

Photo: Sergei Khakimov, Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA

Yulia Uvarkina, curator and head of the Kudykina Gora Nature Park of Wonders, spoke about developing partnerships with local entrepreneurs and craftspeople. Today, the park is a leader in youth employment. Plans include creating an agropolis that will be able to attract even more graduates from local secondary vocational education institutions.

Photo: Sergei Khakimov, Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA

The All-Russian Homeroom Teachers' Forum and the School Principals' Forum are being held at the National Centre RUSSIA from 30 September to 2 October. Both forums are being held on the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation with the support of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation. The projects are operated by the Humanitarian Projects Foundation. The event's partners are Moscow Pedagogical State University, the presidential platform "Russia — Land of Opportunity", the Mashuk Knowledge Centre, the Russian Children's and Youth Centre, the Voin (Warrior) Centre, Rosatom State Corporation and Prosveshcheniye Publishing House JSC. Watch live broadcasts of the forums' main events on the official website of the National Centre RUSSIA.

Photo: Sergei Khakimov, Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA