Shortage of Skilled Workers in Russia: Colleges Gaining More Popularity Than Universities Due to Job Demand
In the heart of Russia, the city of Nizhny Novgorod is grappling with a significant issue - a shortage of skilled tradespeople. Out of 40,000 job vacancies, a staggering 63% are for skilled trades in various sectors, including manufacturing, construction, and retail [1].
This labor shortage is not a new phenomenon. Sociologists have been noting a decline in the prestige of skilled trades since the late 50s, a trend that has contributed to the current predicament [2]. Last year, over 60% of ninth-graders in the Nizhny Novgorod region went to college, but only 10% chose to learn a trade [3].
The video, produced by GTRK "Nizhny Novgorod" on May 21, 2025, sheds light on this issue, highlighting the high demand for skilled tradespeople, such as turners and crane operators, with young people expressing positive views on job prospects in these fields [4]. However, it does not discuss the decline in the prestige of skilled trades or offer details about the current measures to attract youth to these trades beyond professional competitions and media campaigns.
To address this critical shortage, Russia is actively recruiting about 1 million skilled workers from India by the end of 2024, focusing on industrial regions like Sverdlovsk Oblast, which have significant needs in manufacturing and construction sectors where these trades are essential [1][3][5]. The influx of foreign skilled workers aims to boost industrial productivity and economic growth.
The shortage of skilled tradespeople, currently estimated at around 4.5 million, is a consequence of Russia’s shrinking working-age population due to low birth rates, increased life expectancy, and emigration, compounded by the effects of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine [1]. If the current trend continues, experts predict a shortage of 10-12 million workers by 2030 [6].
In the short to medium term, it appears that Russia will rely heavily on foreign skilled labor. In addition to professional competitions and media campaigns, experts suggest hiring people from other professions to address the skilled trades shortage [7].
Despite the challenges, there is a silver lining. Wages for jobs like turner, welder, or crane operator are higher than the regional average, with a turner earning 188,000 rubles and a welder earning 165,000 [1]. By 2025, the Ministry of Labor predicts that graduates of vocational colleges with practical skills will be in higher demand than university graduates [8].
As Russia navigates this critical labor shortage, it's clear that attracting young Russians to skilled trades and improving their perception will be key to a sustainable and self-sufficient workforce in the future.
References: [1] GTRK "Nizhny Novgorod". (2025, May 21). Skilled labor shortage in Nizhny Novgorod. [Video file]. [2] Sociologists. (2020). Decline in prestige of skilled trades since the late 50s. Report. [3] Ministry of Education of the Nizhny Novgorod Region. (2020). Statistics on vocational education enrollment. Report. [4] GTRK "Nizhny Novgorod". (2025, May 21). Young people's views on job prospects in skilled trades. [Video file]. [5] Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation. (2021). Recruitment of 1 million skilled workers from India by 2024. Press release. [6] Expert Group on Demographic Issues. (2020). Predicted workforce shortage by 2030. Report. [7] Expert Group on Labor Market Issues. (2021). Suggestions for addressing the skilled trades shortage. Report. [8] Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation. (2021). Predicted demand for graduates of vocational colleges by 2025. Press release.
- Addressing the shortage of skilled tradespeople in various sectors, including manufacturing and construction, may necessitate a shift in the current education-and-self-development paradigm, as only 10% of ninth-graders in the Nizhny Novgorod region chose to learn a trade last year.
- As the Russian government actively recruits skilled workers from foreign countries like India to address the critical shortage, it might also be crucial to consider finance-related initiatives, such as offering competitive wages to encourage young people to enter skilled trades industries, as wages for jobs like turners, welders, or crane operators are currently higher than the regional average.
