Zabaykalsky Krai Minister Says Vocational Education Is Now Trendy

Acting Minister of Science and Vocational Education of Zabaykalsky Krai Natalya Vikulova stated that secondary vocational education institutions (SVO) are popular among youth because new equipment and training programs have appeared, allowing them to obtain well-paid professions. She made these comments in an interview on the State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company «Chita» (GTRK «Chita») on January 26.

Host Igor Kungurov noted that the Soviet-era trend has been broken, under which vocational education institutions—vocational schools (PTU)—were perceived as a last resort, attended only by schoolchildren who couldn«t gain admission elsewhere.

Vikulova responded by stating that nearly 30,000 students are studying in 32 SVO institutions.

«They are truly popular. You can even visit for a tour, for example, at the Agoshkov Mining College. There are beautiful spaces, laboratories, and new professionalism programs that make institutions modern and innovative. One could say they are even trendy, meaning that students even take photos there. Most importantly, the knowledge acquired enables employment in high-paying jobs,» said Vikulova.

She added that in certain areas, vocational education in Zabaykalye is among the best in the country.

«This includes our pedagogical college and methodological center, which share best practices on a national scale,» added the head of the ministry.

According to the information agency «Chita.Ru» (registered by Roskomnadzor— media registration certificate IA No. FS 77-71394 dated October 17, 2017).