On August 28, 2025, the CERE Observatory officially launched its international seminar series with a well-attended and thought-provoking session titled:
“Russian TVET: Contexts, Reforms, and Labour Market Linkages.”
“Russian TVET: Contexts, Reforms, and Labour Market Linkages.”
Kicking Off with Insight: Russian TVET Launches the CERE Expert Seminar Series
One notable focus was the multi-layered governance of Russian TVET, where state, regional, and industry actors shape curriculum and quality assurance.
The current reform wave (2014–2025) was discussed, spotlighting equipment upgrades, new partnerships, and the flagship “Professionalitet” project, which strategically aligns college capacity with real labor market needs.
This session marked the beginning of CERE's broader effort to bring together expert voices and data-rich perspectives on how education systems evolve in emerging economies. Stay tuned for the upcoming CERE seminar in September, which will open a comparative lens onto China’s evolving TVET landscape.
The full recording of the seminar is now available for viewing:
The current reform wave (2014–2025) was discussed, spotlighting equipment upgrades, new partnerships, and the flagship “Professionalitet” project, which strategically aligns college capacity with real labor market needs.
This session marked the beginning of CERE's broader effort to bring together expert voices and data-rich perspectives on how education systems evolve in emerging economies. Stay tuned for the upcoming CERE seminar in September, which will open a comparative lens onto China’s evolving TVET landscape.
The full recording of the seminar is now available for viewing:
More than 40 participants from across the globe joined this inaugural event, which opened a new space for international dialogue around education systems in emerging economies. The seminar was led by Vera Maltseva, Director of the Center for Skills Development and Vocational Education at HSE University, and moderated by Stephanie Allais, Research Chair in Skills Development at Wits University.
Prof. Maltseva’s presentation delved into the evolving landscape of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in Russia. Key highlights included the major demographic shifts affecting enrolment, the persistent qualification gap, and the dynamics between expanding higher education aspirations and increasing demand for mid-skilled workers.
The report underscored how VET enrolment now outpaces demographic trends and forecasted a peak intake in the 2030s, before a subsequent decline following demographic projections.
Prof. Maltseva’s presentation delved into the evolving landscape of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in Russia. Key highlights included the major demographic shifts affecting enrolment, the persistent qualification gap, and the dynamics between expanding higher education aspirations and increasing demand for mid-skilled workers.
The report underscored how VET enrolment now outpaces demographic trends and forecasted a peak intake in the 2030s, before a subsequent decline following demographic projections.
5 September 2025
Vera Maltseva
True change in vocational education depends not just on education policy, but on deeper economic and institutional reforms
CERE Co-Founder
