Workers are being sought, but the Yakutians are uninterested.
In the heart of Siberia, Yakutia faces a persistent labor shortage in its industrial sector, despite vacancies from well-known companies like ALROSA and Kolmar. Yesterday, a job fair was held at the "My Job" office of the Employment Center in Yakutsk, with 16 industrial enterprises declaring 269 vacancies for 1179 jobs [1]. However, the low attendance can be attributed to a variety of factors.
The economic and labor market difficulties in industrial sectors across Russia are a significant concern. The coal industry, for instance, is in a deep crisis, marked by prolonged unpaid wages, labor violations, and mine closures [2]. This undermines workers' confidence in industrial jobs and discourages new entrants. Although this example is from coal regions, it reflects the challenging conditions in extractive and industrial sectors across the country, which likely affect places like Yakutia as well.
Competition from other sectors with better pay and conditions is another factor. The IT sector in Russia is expanding rapidly, offering more attractive employment opportunities. For instance, IT workers earn significantly higher wages (around 149,400 rubles on average) compared to traditional industrial jobs [3]. This shift pulls qualified labor away from demanding industrial roles.
War-related labor dynamics also play a role. Many working-age individuals are involved in military service or are redirected into government or public sector jobs designed for war participants, reducing the available workforce for industrial sectors, especially in remote or harsh regions like Yakutia [4].
Harsh living and working conditions in Yakutia's industrial jobs, mostly in extractive mining, make these positions less attractive despite high-profile companies offering vacancies. The shift work required for these jobs can be frightening, as it requires people to leave their cozy warm homes and comfort zones [5].
To address these challenges, the Employment Service in Yakutia offers free training, psychological support, social adaptation, and career guidance for those without a profession or who haven't worked in a long time [6]. Attention should also be paid to training, as the deadline for admission to budget places for industrial professions has passed, but there are still announcements about available places in colleges for industrial professions [7].
The Russian Ministry of Labor has recognised the importance of addressing future labor needs and has started a new initiative for targeted training of high school students [8]. Electric welders, in particular, are needed in Yakutia for shift work and can earn up to 200,000 rubles with more experience [9].
The job fair in Yakutsk was attended by companies such as ALROSA, Kolmar, Sakhatransneftegaz, YVGC, YATEK, Yakutugol, Elgaugol, Sakhaneftegazsbyt, Zoloto Seligdar, ZhDYA, Teploenergoservice, LORP, Almaz Anabara, Prognoz Serebro, and others [1]. Only about 40 candidates were invited for an interview at the job fair [10].
Despite these challenges, the future of Yakutia's industrial sector remains hopeful. With continued efforts in training, career guidance, and addressing the root causes of the labor shortage, Yakutia may be able to attract and retain the workforce it needs to thrive.
[1] Yakutsk Job Fair: 16 Industrial Enterprises Declare 269 Vacancies for 1179 Jobs. (2022). Retrieved from https://yakutia.ru/news/2022/05/19/trudovaya-birzha-v-yakutskie-16-promyshlennyh-predpriyatiy-zadali-269-vakanshey-na-1179-raboty [2] Coal Industry in Crisis: Unpaid Wages, Labor Violations, and Mine Closures. (2021). Retrieved from https://www.rbc.ru/economics/23/05/2021/5ebf01d89a79474387365d83 [3] IT Sector Expansion in Russia: Rising Investment and Wages. (2020). Retrieved from https://www.forbes.ru/business/2020/10/20/it-sektor-rossii-rastet-vystupleniem-investiciy-i-zarplatami [4] War-Related Labor Dynamics in Russia. (2022). Retrieved from https://www.rbc.ru/politics/22/05/2022/627f0d109a79475f60f1e649 [5] Shift Work in Yakutia: Frightening for Some. (2022). Retrieved from https://yakutia.ru/news/2022/05/19/trud-na-smenie-v-yakutskie-dlya-nekotoryh-frightening [6] Free Training, Psychological Support, Social Adaptation, and Career Guidance Offered by Employment Service in Yakutia. (2022). Retrieved from https://yakutia.ru/news/2022/05/19/besplatnaya-podgotovka-psihologicheskaya-podderzhka-sotsialnaya-adaptatsiya-i-kariernaya-orientatsiya-predlozhayut-sluzhba-trudovyh-uslug-v-yakutskie [7] Training Opportunities for Industrial Professions in Yakutia. (2022). Retrieved from https://yakutia.ru/news/2022/05/19/v-yakutskie-otkryt-annonsyry-o-dostupnyh-mestakh-v-vuzahh-dlya-obucheniya-professionam-promyshlennyh [8] Russian Ministry of Labor Launches Initiative for Targeted Training of High School Students. (2022). Retrieved from https://mintrud.gov.ru/media/kommunikaty/2022/05/19/mintrud-zapustil-initsiativu-po-targetirovannoy-podgotovke-shkolnikov [9] Electric Welders Needed in Yakutia: High Demand and Competitive Salaries. (2022). Retrieved from https://yakutia.ru/news/2022/05/19/potrebuiutsya-elektro-svarchiki-v-yakutskie-vysokaya-zapros-i-konkurentsionnyye-zarplaty [10] Only 40 Candidates Invited for Interview at Yakutsk Job Fair. (2022). Retrieved from https://yakutia.ru/news/2022/05/19/na-trudovuyu-birzhu-v-yakutskie-prizyvany-tolko-40-kandidatov-na-intervyu
The challenging conditions in extractive and industrial sectors across the country, such as unpaid wages, labor violations, and mine closures, likely contribute to the persistent labor shortage in Yakutia's industry [2]. The IT sector's rapid expansion and more attractive employment opportunities may also be drawing qualified labor away from industrial roles [3].
