The development of construction technologies requires changes in personnel training and the work of specialized universities in the Vitebsk region
Diploma to Order
It is no secret that many educational programs, not only in the construction industry, were developed decades ago and have not been updated since. Therefore, when young specialists come to work, it turns out that different approaches are already in place and the knowledge gained is outdated.
Minister of Education of Belarus Igor Карпенко: Today, the task is to combine higher education with all others so that they meet the requirements of employers.
Since 2014, the Republic of Belarus has joined the international non-profit movement WorldSkills, the goal of which is to raise the status of vocational education and the standards of professional training and qualification worldwide. In the construction industry, this has allowed us to embrace new technologies and master new materials.
The dynamic change in the technological level and qualification requirements necessitates the adjustment of educational standards and curricula directly during the training process. This should be carried out by educational institutions with the mandatory participation of employer organizations.
– In the Code on Education, we have introduced the concept of a model curriculum, which will allow employers to influence the training of specialists in a specific educational institution more seriously and promptly. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the interaction between educational institutions and organizations in the construction industry, – noted the Minister of Education.
Since September 2018, training has begun for the new profession "Installer of frame-sheathing structures for dry construction."
Thanks to the WorldSkills competition, since September 2018, training has begun for the new profession "Installer of frame-sheathing structures for dry construction," the program for which was developed based on international standards and with the participation of direct employers. They also assisted with equipping specialized equipment, tools, and consumables.
The training of workers and specialists is carried out in accordance with orders, which are fully satisfied. However, there is a problem: 96% of the total number of organizations placing orders through the automated system "Goszakaz" are state-owned enterprises.
– The share of private ownership organizations in the total number of construction enterprises is about 90%, and they are practically not involved in ordering and in the overall training of personnel. Therefore, it is necessary to think about a new methodology for forming admission numbers, – noted Igor Karpenco.
Lifelong Learning
43 industry resource centers have been established in Belarus, 10 of which are already equipped with the latest technology. Ministries and economic entities should participate in the development of their material and technical base.
– There is no point in creating a serious technical base in every lyceum or college. It is enough to concentrate the most expensive science-intensive equipment and technologies in one resource center, where people from different educational institutions and organizations will come for training throughout the year, – said the Minister of Education.
The draft strategy for the development of the construction industry until 2030 provides for a transition to electronic interaction
The draft strategy for the development of the construction industry until 2030 provides for a transition to electronic interaction of participants in the investment and construction process, the creation of an electronic state construction portal, that is, everything is moving towards a 100% replacement of paper media with electronic ones, starting from the process of creating an object to its dismantling.
– We need to retrain current employees and actively train future graduates over the next two years in line with the rapid development of technologies, – said **Minister of Architecture and Construction of the Republic of Belarus Dmitry Mikulionok**. – Organizations in the construction industry need to more actively pursue a policy of "Lifelong Learning," and educational institutions should double the number of practical classes so that students and trainees undergo internships not once a year, but once a semester.
– Builders of all levels must improve their qualifications at least once every 3-4 years. Currently, managers retrain approximately once every 4 years, specialists – once every 10 years, and workers – once every 15 years, – emphasized **Deputy Minister of Architecture and Construction Dmitry Semenkevich**.
We need to move away from highly specialized profiles where possible. Already, about 20 working specialties will be reformed into five, which will make personnel more versatile and, therefore, more competitive.
Today, the construction industry requires specialists in programming and robotics systems management
Today, the construction industry requires specialists in programming and robotics systems management, and project management. Obsolete disciplines need to be replaced with new ones.
Regaining Former Positions
– In recent years, the prestige of the construction profession has noticeably declined. If in 2013 the competition in universities was 3 people per place, then in 2018 it was 1.4. The average score of applicants has also decreased, – said **First Deputy Minister of Education Irina Starovoitova**.
The Ministry of Education has made a number of changes to regulatory legal acts. For early career guidance, since September 1, 2018, 10th and 11th-grade schoolchildren have been given the opportunity to master working professions within the framework of the "Labor Training" subject. The list of these professions includes ten construction trades, and initial qualification grades will be awarded for seven of them.
– If there are no problems with providing the first job, then there are problems with retaining staff. And we see the solution primarily in increasing wages. As long as neighboring countries offer higher wages, construction workers cannot be kept here, – noted **Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus Vladimir Kuharev**.
Regulatory legal acts also require refinement regarding the introduction of measures aimed at material incentives for organizations in the construction industry, where young people undergo vocational training and internships.
– Vocational schools need to revise the qualification levels of the professions they offer. Who needs a 2nd-grade specialist? – said Vladimir Evgenievich.
Implement Developments into Production
According to forecasts, by 2025, the construction industry will need 21 research associates in four specialties
– As of today, there are 39 Doctors of Sciences (average age 71) and 209 Candidates of Sciences (average age 56) in the construction and architecture sector of Belarus. Postgraduate enrollment has also decreased from 43 people in 2016 to 17 this year. According to forecasts, by 2025, the industry will need 21 research associates in four specialties, – reported Irina Starovoitova.
One of the ways to improve the level of personnel training is to create industry laboratories at universities (there are currently 16 such laboratories), where research, experimental design, and experimental technological work are carried out.
– Industry laboratories, firstly, always deal with relevant topics based on orders from the real sector of the economy. Secondly, they involve the development of new materials and technologies. Thirdly, they ensure broader involvement of students, undergraduates, and postgraduates in research work, which naturally enhances the quality of education, – said Irina Anatolyevna.
The participants of the collegium had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with scientific developments, innovative technologies, and products presented by universities, research institutes, and enterprises of Belarus at a prepared exhibition.
Polotsk State University demonstrated heat-insulating and wall building materials based on plant raw materials, which can include moss, straw, flax tow and shives, reeds, palm, and rice husks. A wall material based on arbolite, using woodworking industry waste, was also presented.
PSU has developed software products for the construction industry, already in use in Belarus
The university has also developed software products for the construction industry, already in use in our country: a program that allows for the assessment of building structure elements, and a complex for calculating the stability of earth slopes.
Vitebsk State Technological University presented eco-friendly textile wallpapers made using short flax, unsuitable for high-quality fabrics, and a technology for producing materials for construction and household purposes using textile production waste, which enhances product strength and service life. For example, the university has produced paving slabs and insulation materials – underlays for laminate flooring and concrete.
Minister of Education of Belarus Igor Karpenko: Universities should not only engage in education and science but also find customers and sell their developments
– Unfortunately, there is a long period from the scientific development of materials and technologies to their implementation in production, so universities should not only engage in education and science but also find customers and sell their developments, – said Igor Karpenko.
To support higher education, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus, Vladimir Kukharev, instructed to organize extended meetings and presentations of scientific developments at universities.
The joint collegiums of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus plan to be held with all sectoral ministries to develop conceptual approaches for personnel training, taking into account modern requirements.