Tokayev projects Kazakhstan will need 2.9 million specialists by 2035

September 24, 2026 at 12:07 PM2 min

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President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said Kazakhstan will need 2.9 million specialists by 2035, including 1.8 million in blue-collar trades. The greatest shortages are expected in industry, construction, agriculture, and IT. He highlighted the Joltap short-term training project in Astana, which has trained over 22,000 people in three years.

Key Facts

Kazakhstan will need 2.9 million specialists by 2035, including 1.8 million in blue-collar trades, according to President Tokayev.
The largest personnel shortages are expected in industry, construction, agriculture, and IT.
763 colleges in Kazakhstan currently enroll over 500,000 students.
22 centers for recognition of professional qualifications operate for those with skills but no formal diploma.
The Joltap project in Astana has trained over 22,000 people in three years, with 60% employed and about 2,000 starting their own businesses.

Labor Demand Forecast

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, speaking at the first session of the Kazakhstan People's Council, said the country will need 2.9 million specialists by 2035. Of these, 1.8 million will be needed in blue-collar trades. The largest personnel shortages are expected in industry, construction, agriculture, and IT. Tokayev linked the demand to large-scale infrastructure modernization that will create tens of thousands of new jobs.

Vocational Training System

Currently, 763 colleges in Kazakhstan enroll over 500,000 students. The government is focusing on early career guidance and dual education. For those with skills but no formal diploma, 22 centers for recognition of professional qualifications allow official confirmation of competencies. Tokayev highlighted the Joltap project in Astana as a model of short-term training with direct business participation.

Joltap Project Results

Over three years, Joltap has trained more than 22,000 people in blue-collar and digital professions, from seamstresses and welders to web developers and designers. 60 percent of graduates have found employment, and about 2,000 have started their own businesses. Tokayev said this successful experience should be scaled to all regions of Kazakhstan.