The system of technical and vocational education in Kazakhstan needs to be modernised in order to ensure a qualitative breakthrough in the standards of training. The labour market requires a more highly trained workforce, due to industrial development in the country, the impact of globalisation, the transition to a knowledge-based economy, and growing competition from global labour markets.
Developing a more efficient national system of technical and vocational education will be a key factor to encourage sustainable economic development, improve social stability and help young people find sustainable employment opportunities.
Vocational education is mainly delivered on two levels: vocational schools offering basic labour market training, and secondary vocational schools offering secondary level vocational and higher labour market training. Students typically attend between the ages of 15-17 following the end of compulsory education. Many of the colleges are privately run, while state colleges are in the minority. There are some well resourced and well respected institutions, but they are not common. Student numbers are relatively small, with around 500-800 colleges serving approximately 500,000 pupils.
There has been a significant reduction in the network of vocational schools across the nation. At present, there are just 71% of the number of vocational schools that existed in 1991.
In early 2000, the training load in vocational institutions and colleges dropped significantly, and the number of students in rural vocational schools decreased dramatically. In some regions, the educational institutions and hostel facilities of technical and vocational institutions underwent privatisation, or were shut down, which significantly affected access to technical and vocational education for rural youth.
In January 2007, there were 830 educational institutions in the republic, including:
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320 vocational schools (289 state owned and 31 private) |
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510 colleges (201 state owned and 309 private) |
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Over 1,000 training centres, offering apprenticeships lasting 1-6 months, for 600,000 enrolled students. |
In January 2007, the number of students in technical and vocational educational institutions in the Republic of Kazakhstan totalled 558,700, including 450,525 college students and 108,175 students in vocational schools. The state budget funds 93% of vocational schools trainees and 16% of college students.
The ratio of expenditure on training in technical and vocational institutions and GDP per capita is much lower (less than 20%) than the ratio of expenditure on higher institution training per capita GDP (over 50%).
Compared with other countries, the budget allocated to technical and vocational education (0.2% of GDP) is much lower in Kazakhstan.
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