The number of Russians who consider working professions prestigious has risen to 74%.

      May 18, 2026 11:00 Economy Information reason: Skilled trades are the most in demand in the labor market. This is evidenced by data from the workforce demand forecast prepared by the Ministry of Labor of Russia. Thus, in the next seven years, the economy needs to involve almost 12 million people. 65% of this demand consists of representatives of skilled trades: mechanics, welders, lathe operators, electricians, and seamstresses.

      Against this background, raising the prestige of "blue-collar" work, especially in the eyes of young people, becomes particularly important. The national project "Personnel" aims to popularize in-demand professions and elevate the status of working individuals. There are results in this direction. According to data from VTsIOM for the first quarter of 2026, 74% of Russians consider skilled trades prestigious. In December of last year, this figure was 72%.

      On May 18, a social advertising campaign will launch to promote skilled trades in support of the national project "Personnel." The heroes of the videos will be representatives of the professions "foundry worker," "engineer," "agronomist," and employees of the employment centers "Work of Russia."

      Employment centers "Work of Russia" provide comprehensive support to job seekers and employers. Currently, there are more than 1,200 centers operating in the country. This year, 295 more employment centers will open in 14 regions of the country.

      Career consultants work personally with each individual, building a career trajectory for them. After career guidance, a job seeker can upgrade their qualifications or learn a new profession. The career consultant will select suitable vacancies, invite them to events with employers, organize interviews, and after receiving a job offer, assist with paperwork and adaptation in the new team.

      For those who have already entered the labor market but want to change professions, a free retraining program is in place. The list includes 213 of the most sought-after professions among employers, including 27 reserved specifically for participants of the SVO. Currently, about 5,700 educational programs are available on the "Work of Russia" portal. At this moment, more than 84,000 applications have been submitted, which is one-third higher than the demand in 2025 for the same period.

      To help young people understand their preferences, see opportunities, and build a realistic path from school to their dream job, an individual career support program for youth operates in all regions. The main goal is to create a clear route for high school students and college or university students, starting from career guidance and ending with successful employment.

      The scale of this program is well reflected in the numbers. About 5 million schoolchildren participate in various career guidance events: these include special testing, career tours, and meetings with employers. About 1 million students have undergone a special assessment in employment centers to determine how successful they will be after graduation. If there is a risk of not finding a job, a specialist from the employment center will help eliminate it: they will assist the student with internships and practical training to acquire the necessary work skills.

      Special assistants are also available for organizations: career consultants collaborate with all employers, regardless of their ownership structure and staff size. Each organization has its own personal manager who studies its requests and formulates a set of support measures and services based on them. This includes, for example, selecting specialists, mass recruitment, training and upgrading the qualifications of specialists, and providing government support measures. Interaction with employers also occurs in a digital format on the "Work of Russia" portal.

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