On June 17, 2025, Toraighyrov University hosted the national forum-presentation “The Role of Employers in Developing and Implementing Regional Workforce Needs Maps: The Pavlodar Region and ERG Case.”

The event was held with the support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the National Center for Higher Education Development, the «Мамандығым – болашағым» project office, and ERG.

At the plenary sessions, representatives from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the regional akimat, ERG, education, employment and social program departments, Toraighyrov University, and the project office spoke. Project leader Olzhas Sakenov presented the methodological approaches to developing Regional Workforce Needs Maps and emphasized the importance of the project office’s coordinating role.

Special attention was given to professional diagnostics, in which over 20,000 schoolchildren from 338 schools in the region participated. The study, conducted with the support of the akimat and the regional education department, revealed an imbalance: students prefer creative industries, while the regional economy requires engineers and technical specialists. Strengthening career guidance campaigns for vocational professions was recommended.

The region’s experience in developing a creative industries map was also presented. The study covered areas such as fashion, cinema, design, and marketing, concluding with the need to establish a specialized hub.