Kazakhstan transport sector needs 57,000 workers, 31 new professions identified

September 8, 2026 at 01:00 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Kazakhstan's transport sector employs 870,000 people and needs about 57,000 more specialists, Transport Minister Nurlan Sauranbayev told a government meeting. The ministry has identified 31 new professions driven by technological transformation, including BIM specialists, smart road experts, and AI-related aviation roles. The sector currently trains about 44,000 students across 37 universities and 47 colleges.

Key Facts

Kazakhstan's transport sector employs 870,000 people, about one in ten of the country's workforce.
The sector needs about 57,000 additional specialists, with highest demand for machinists, drivers, technicians, engineers, logistics specialists, pilots, air traffic controllers, ship captains, and mechanics.
37 universities and 47 colleges train about 44,000 students for the transport sector, of whom more than 28,000 study under state educational grants.
Kazakhstan Temir Zholy trained 174,000 workers last year, including 113,000 in artificial intelligence skills, through four regional training centers, laboratories, and training grounds.
The Ministry of Transport has identified 31 new professions, including BIM digital design specialists, smart road specialists, construction robot operators, digital logisticians, automation specialists, AI air traffic controllers, and drone operators.

Workforce Demand

Transport Minister Nurlan Sauranbayev told a government meeting that the transport sector employs 870,000 people, nearly every tenth employed person in Kazakhstan. Due to active development of transport infrastructure, the sector's need is about 57,000 specialists. The majority of workers are specialists in automobile and railway transport, road construction, and logistics. The highest demand is for machinists, drivers, technicians, engineers, logistics specialists, pilots, air traffic controllers, ship captains, and mechanics.

Training and New Professions

37 higher education institutions and 47 colleges train about 44,000 students for the transport sector, with more than 28,000 studying under state educational grants. The Ministry of Transport, together with state bodies and educational organizations, is updating educational programs and developing new areas of specialist training. In the road sector, demand exists for BIM digital design specialists, smart road specialists, and construction robot operators. In railway and logistics, digital logisticians and automation specialists are needed, while aviation is introducing AI-related training for AI air traffic controllers, air traffic design specialists, and drone operators.

Corporate Training Initiatives

Kazakhstan Temir Zholy operates four regional training centers, laboratories, and training grounds. Last year, 174,000 workers were trained through this system, of whom 113,000 learned to work with artificial intelligence. A new international-level aviation training center is being created for professional training of aviation specialists. The road sector is implementing the JOLSHY project for professional training.