Their number is increasing. Dmitry Chernyshenko: 95 clusters will join Russian federal project “Professionalitet” in 2026

In 2026, 95 clusters from 43 regions of Russia will join the federal project
“Professionalitet” (Vocational Excellence) under the national project “Youth and
Children”. They will train specialists in 20 sectors that are in demand in the
country's economy. This was announced by Dmitry Chernyshenko, Deputy Prime
Minister of the Russian Federation, and Sergey Kravtsov, Minister of Education of
the Russian Federation.
“The federal project 'Professionalitet' makes it possible to build a system where
specialist training is tailored to the needs of enterprises. Our President, Vladimir
Putin, has called personnel issues fundamental for the country's development. The
creation of new 'Professionalitet' clusters within the framework of the national
project 'Youth and Children' is a direct investment in Russia's future. Currently,
506 clusters in 86 regions cover 24 key sectors of the economy. It is expected that
in 2026, another 95 clusters from 43 regions of Russia will join 'Professionalitet',”
emphasized Dmitry Chernyshenko, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian
Federation.
Within the project, employers participate in the development of curricula, provide
modern equipment and mentors, and graduates enter the workforce with real
competencies and readiness to start working immediately.
Clusters will be established in the following sectors: Agriculture (14 clusters),
Mechanical Engineering (11), Transport (9), Construction (8), Pedagogy (6),
Mining, Information Technology, Light Industry, Fuel and Energy Complex,
Chemical Industry (5 clusters each), Clinical and Preventive Medicine, Metallurgy,
Tourism and Services (4 clusters each), Electrical Engineering Industry (3), Radio
Electronics (2), and one cluster each for Railway Transport, Robotics Industry,
Arts and Creative Industries, Electronics Industry, and Forestry.
Sergey Kravtsov, Minister of Education of the Russian Federation, specified thatthe defenses of the activity programs for the “Professionalitet” clusters opening in
2026 and their strategies for 2026–2028 will take place in Kaluga on February 26
and 27 at the Federal Technopark for Vocational Education. This event will help
identify growth points and directions for improving the effectiveness of the
clusters.
“The 'Professionalitet' project has become a systemic mechanism for transforming
vocational education and training. Thanks to the project, modern workshops are
being created in colleges and technical schools, curricula are being updated, and
training periods are being shortened. The model of training specialists according
to the specific needs of employers has proven itself excellently. 'Professionalitet' is
legally established as a new form of educational activity, which involves employer
participation in the management of educational organizations and in the
organization of educational activities. From September 1, 2026, all colleges and
technical schools in the country will be able to implement this model,” stated
Sergey Kravtsov.
The federal project was launched in 2022 and aims to synchronize the personnel
needs of enterprises with the capabilities of the vocational education and training
system.
The project is implemented by the Ministry of Education of Russia. The federal
operator is the Institute for the Development of Vocational Education.