Personnel training for the forestry complex of the northwestern and Arctic regions of Russia

Abstract

Introduction. Forestry industry development and management in the North-West and the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation is a national priority, focused on the global competitiveness of the Russian timber industry products. The study aimed to analyze personnel training for forestry, offered by the education system of the North-West and the Arctic zone of Russia, in order to bring the qualities of the graduates of higher and secondary vocational education in line with the needs of the forestry industry in this macro-region. Materials and Methods. The research materials were statistical data from 4 forms of state federal reporting for 2021-2022: on admissions and graduations from the higher education system; graduation from the secondary vocational education system; number of employees of organizations by type of economic activity; demand of organizations by type of economic activity. The methods of descriptive statistics, mathematical modeling and comparative data analysis were used. Research Results. The study determined a list of 20 areas and disciplines of higher and secondary vocational education organizations training qualified personnel for the forestry complex, and formed a group of 19 types of economic activities related to the five main areas of forestry complex work. The scope of annual additional personnel demand of enterprises and organizations of the forestry complex of the Arctic and North-West Russia was calculated with the help of macroeconomic methodology for assessing the economy's demand for qualified personnel. The annual demand for personnel with higher education was 3.54%, for mid-level specialists it reached 4.49%, and for skilled workers and employees – 5.41% of the total number of employees with the appropriate level of education working in the forestry industry. The comparative analysis identified entities where personnel demands could be met by graduates from their region and entities needing additional sources, including graduates from other regions. Discussion and Conclusion. Pronounced lack of own personnel with higher education for enterprises and organizations of the forestry complex was identified in Leningrad Oblast, Chukotka, Nenets and YamaloNenets Autonomous Okrugs. Mid-level specialists currently graduate in sufficient numbers, with the exception of the Nenets Autonomous Okrug. In the next two to three years, a significant shortage of qualified workers and employees (more than 90%) is expected in all subjects of the macroregion. A solution to this problem may be targeted training of specialists in other regions, as well as in regions that are well-known educational centers (for example, Tomsk, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk).