The Russian Ministry of Construction is considering a proposal for mandatory work placements for students graduating from state-funded construction universities. This initiative draws parallels with existing requirements for medical professionals. However, industry experts are quick to point out a significant difference: the construction sector now has very few state-owned enterprises, and private businesses are often reluctant to hire inexperienced graduates.
Irek Faizullin, the head of the Ministry of Construction, suggested that upon completing their studies, these graduates should be assigned to regional organizations. He highlighted the analogy with policies already in place for various medical specialties. Faizullin further noted the scarcity of state-owned entities in the Russian construction industry and expressed concerns that the housing and utilities sector might not have sufficient capacity to provide jobs for young specialists. The ministry is also exploring the possibility of shortening the duration of study in both higher education institutions and construction colleges.
However, no concrete proposals have yet been put forth regarding the specific placements for these state-funded students. What do construction professionals themselves think of this initiative?
Mikhail Stepanov, Professor at the Department of Mechanization, Automation, and Robotization of Construction at Moscow State University of Civil Engineering (MGSU):
“I support the minister`s position. If an individual studies at the state`s expense, they should naturally fulfill an obligation to the state. I experienced this system myself in the Soviet Union; I received a work assignment and completed it, as did my classmates. Some stayed, others changed jobs after their mandatory three years. Students should understand that after graduating from a construction university, they will enter the construction sector, not engage in unrelated activities. This perspective should also motivate them to acquire knowledge with genuine interest, rather than just seeking a diploma.
Regarding where they can be placed immediately after graduation, our university had a good experience with SU-155. They had an agreement with our institution where students on internship signed contracts to work for them later, and many did. The small nuance is that while all enterprises were state-owned in the Soviet Union, today there are almost none in construction. We need to find a way to involve businesses. Current targeted enrollment programs, even for state institutions, are not widely implemented. A company might sponsor one student, but they can`t always be sure they`ll exist in five years, and they`re understandably hesitant to waste money. Furthermore, many housing and utilities managers, while economically savvy, lack technical knowledge of water supply, gas systems, or elevators, which can lead to various issues.”
Stanislav Sagiryan, Shareholder and Member of the Board of Directors of RKS Development Group:
“A fresh graduate is always a `greenhorn` who understands little. They have some education but no experience, so they need to gain it. Having them gain experience in ministries won`t alleviate the core problem these ministries face: a shortage of qualified, experienced managers who understand operations and can lead effectively. Recruiting a host of students won`t improve their situation. The question of why there`s a deficit of qualified personnel needs addressing. It`s about salaries, possibly other factors like responsibility, and people`s fear of legal scrutiny. Public service isn`t as daunting as it`s often portrayed. It`s better to see something once than hear about it a hundred times. We should implement a system, common in many countries, where students, after their second or third year, have the opportunity to take a year off for practical experience before returning to finish their studies. It`s crucial for them to work in a company or government agency in their specialty for a period. This way, they`ll truly understand what they want to do, and if so, what specifically. Designing is one thing, managing a construction project is entirely another, and working on a construction site and organizing building there is a third.”
When asked about the most critical shortages among construction professionals, Sagiryan concluded, “I think everyone is in short supply.”
Maria, a recent state-funded graduate of a construction university:
“I would react very negatively to this idea. I probably wouldn`t pursue a career in this field if I were obliged to work it off, especially if it meant being assigned to literally any city in our country, as was done in the past. It`s entirely possible for someone`s interest to wane during their studies. Moreover, in today`s world, where people can pursue various careers after courses and so on, many who come to study in the capital plan to stay here—it`s often a key reason for their move. After four years of living here, being sent to any corner of our vast country isn`t a very appealing prospect.
I myself moved from Yekaterinburg. My specialization is biotechnology and information modeling in construction. I found my current job in a commercial structure during my final year of study; there was no targeted training for my role. I don`t recall any `targeted students` in my program. In my group of 20, only about three were fee-paying students. Incidentally, a large number of my classmates went into the IT sector because life has become very expensive, and the younger generation is striving to achieve a good quality of life. It`s a bit disheartening to discuss their salaries.”
According to a study conducted by the “Rabota.ru” service, only one-third of Russians actually work in the specialty they obtained from their university or college.
Rupert Blackwood 
Clement Ashworth