Kuban to allocate 2 billion rubles to the modernization of vocational education

Financing of the regional program of modernization of primary and secondary education in the Kuban region in the period 2011-2013 amounts to 2 billion, Minister of Education of Krasnodar Region Natalia Naumova said in an interview to Interfax, "including 954 million rubles from the regional budget, 151 million rubles from the federal budget and 900 million rubles from extrabudgetary funds," the Minister added.

According to her, within the program it is expected that advanced training and production and educational equipment will be acquired, as well as software. In addition, a unified information network for job placement and career counselling of students will be created.

Naumova noted that today the preparation of skilled workers, demanded by the regional economy, is a priority in the modernization of the vocational education system.

"The prestige of working professions depends on the conditions of the educational process and committed participation of employers. In recent years material base of facilities has been successfully developed. From 2008 to 2011 260 million rubles was allocated for major repairs and the purchase of equipment. Institutions are being equipped with modern computer equipment and software," the head of the ministry said.

Distance learning centers, established on the basis of the Novorossiysk College of Construction and Economics and the Krasnodar Information Technology College, have opened new opportunities for lifelong learning and retraining.

"These institutions, together with employers, develop professional programs and organize training engineers and teachers at work. This changes the attitude of school leavers to vocational education. Career-guidance work is also changing. It is becoming systemic and is held in schools, starting from primary school," the Minister said.