Tomsk Companies Showed Lack of Initiative in Filing Applications for Subsidies
Tomsk Companies Seek Focused Education for Specialized Workforce, With Overwhelming Demand in Healthcare
Tomsk-based businesses have submitted 555 applications for targeted education of specialists, with a staggering 69% concentrated in the healthcare sector. In stark contrast, the real sector economy has registered minimal demands for such skilled personnel, as reported by Svetlana Grazhny, Tomsk's Deputy Governor for Social Policy, during a recent presentation of the national project "Cadres."
Last year, the unemployment rate in Tomsk region was less than 1%. However, starting from 2022, the region has experienced a shortage of workforce due to Russia's demographic crisis and the implementation of SWAP. In anticipation, Tomsk authorities launched a campaign in 2025 to gather applications for targeted education programs for the years 2026-2027. Initially, it was hoped that the measure would provide businesses with the much-needed workforce.
Grazhny shared, "We, unfortunately, didn't play our cards right. Yesterday we were wrapping things up... all employers - we carried out a large-scale operation... - we only got 555 (targeted positions). Out of 555, 69% are in health care. In essence, the real sector of the economy didn't express a need for targeted training of specialists."
She further clarified that the accepting of applications for targeted education concludes on May 14. Grazhny attributed the lack of applications to the employers' failure to assess their workforce demands and devise a strategy in response.
"This is a serious risk," Grazhny warned. "I didn't just say it casually when talking about the 3-million-person workforce shortage (in Russia). Visualize the scenario: what could happen? The battle for talent is already escalating... and those companies that choose this strategy – specifically targeted education – are the ones that will come out on top."
In general, the reasons behind the concentrated focus of Tomsk industries on healthcare-related training could be due to several factors:
- Regional economic strategy: Tomsk might prioritize industries according to a well-defined strategic development plan. The emphasis on healthcare could form part of such a strategy.
- Demographic needs: Healthcare often has a consistent demand due to the essential nature of its services. This could be of particular relevance if the Tomsk region has a rapidly aging population or unique health challenges.
- Availability of resources: The presence of healthcare-oriented educational institutions or established healthcare facilities in Tomsk could facilitate the development of specialized training programs.
- Global trends: Owing to the growing global healthcare industry, regions with robust educational institutions could capitalize on this trend and offer specialty education programs.
- Government support: Incentives or financial backing from the government could also contribute to the concentration of educational efforts on the healthcare sector in Tomsk.
Without specific information or statements from Tomsk companies, these are simply speculative reasons for their targeted focus on healthcare education. To gather precise insights, it would be essential to consult local reports or statements from Tomsk companies themselves.
- As Tomsk's Deputy Governor for Social Policy, Svetlana Grazhny, mentioned during the presentation of the national project "Cadres," there seems to be a discrepancy between the demands of the real sector economy for specialized personnel and the focus of Tomsk-based businesses on targeted education programs, as evidenced by the overwhelming concentration of applications (69%) in the healthcare sector.
- In light of Svetlana Grazhny's warning about a potential 3-million-person workforce shortage in Russia, and the fact that Tomsk industries are largely concentrating on healthcare-related training, it raises questions about the role of politics (strategic development plans, government support, and incentives) and general news (demographic needs, availability of resources, and global trends) in shaping the education-and-self-development strategies of these companies.
