On June 23, the second stage of the Work in Russia. A Time of Opportunity All-Russian Employment Fair started in Saratov Region. The opening ceremony took place at the site of the College of Architecture and Civil Engineering. The ceremony was attended by heads of ministries and departments, as well as regional universities and organisations interested in attracting qualified personnel and popularising vocational professions that were in demand today and would be in the future. At the event, Saratov State University was represented by Vice-Rector for Secondary Vocational Education and Social Work Olga Nesterova and the staff of the Institute of Continuing Professional Education.

The participants of the fair were welcomed by Acting Minister of Labour and Social Protection of Saratov Region Dennis Davydov. ‘Today, about 500 organizations are represented here, ready to offer vacant places and re-training opportunities for specialists for further employment. Residents of the region have the opportunity to get advice in finding a job nearby their places of residence. I hope everyone will find the professional sphere that will bring you joy and financial well-being.’

First Deputy Minister of Industry and Energy of Saratov Region Alexander Iztleuov noted that the All-Russian fair was gaining momentum. ‘At the last stage, more than 100 residents of the region were able to find a job, surely, this time, the result will be much better. Representatives of the largest enterprises of the region, HR-deputies, who are in need of specialists in various fields, have gathered at our sites,’ he stressed.

On behalf of the university community, SSU Vice-Rector for Secondary Vocational Education and Social Work Olga Nesterova addressed the audience. ‘Not only regional organisations, but also educational institutions – colleges, universities – are taking part in the fair. One of the main missions of the educational institution is to develop the potential of young people, the education of new leaders who are able to make a scientific, technological, social, and economic breakthrough in the development of our country. The employment of our graduates is one of the key large-scale tasks, and the cooperation with enterprises, which often act as potential employers, plays an important role in it,’ she commented.

The vice-rector touched upon the changes that were taking place in the labour market, spoke about the importance of mentoring at enterprises. According to her, young people today needed not only mobility in choosing professions, but also a margin of safety in building their careers.

During the day, the information platform of the Centre for Professional Development and Business Strategies, the Institute of Continuing Professional Education, SSU, worked at the fair, where everyone had the opportunity to learn about training programmes and employment prospects.

‘We offer residents of the region to learn about professional courses: advanced training, professional re-training, trainings, and seminars. In particular, we are talking about the federal project to promote employment as part of the Demography federal programme. The project has been successfully implemented for the third year, different categories of citizens, including the unemployed, can take part in it,’ Head of the centre Marina Vasilyeva said.

The main sites of the employment forum were located in Saratov, Engels, and Balakovo, and the event was also held in all regional employment centres.

More than 350 large industrial enterprises and organisations in the region represented more than 5,000 vacancies. In addition, at the employment fair, its members were able to learn how to improve their professional competencies or re-train for a demanded profession.

The organiser of the All-Russian Employment Fair is the Russian Ministry of Labour, regional authorities, and employment centres, as well as the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Russian Ministry of Education, the Russian Ministry of Higher Education and Science, Rosmolodezh, ANCO “National Priorities” and ANCO “Dialogue”. The event is for the first time this year. Its goal is to unite employees and employers from different industries – from small and medium businesses to large corporations. For the participants, this is an opportunity to immediately take an interview with several employers, as well as find a job both inside and outside their region.