VITEBSK, 18 October (BelTA) – Decisive measures should be taken to resolve problems facing Belarus' construction industry, Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Kukharev said at a seminar held by the Architecture and Construction Ministry and the Education Ministry to discuss human resources in the construction sector on 17 October, BelTA has learned.
“The issues facing company heads working in the construction industry require comprehensive solutions and decisive approaches. If such measures are not taken now, we will face serious problems in the near future,” Vladimir Kukharev noted.
The vice premier outlined several key areas of focus. In particular, it is necessary to offer meaningful and early career guidance and counseling at schools, including with the use of modern technology. It is necessary to study the curricular of learning institutions that train future construction specialists. They should be dramatically revised and updated, so that college graduates will not need any additional training to be able to do their work. “We cannot waste huge public funds on teaching things that will never come in handy. This matter should be given great consideration,” Vladimir Kukharev noted.
Company heads should also join the efforts. According to Vladimir Kukharev, they should offer apprenticeships to students starting from the second year at college, provide on-the-job training and assess their knowledge and proficiency, and if needed suggest amendments to the curricular.
Salaries and wages are another important aspect. “If we do not raise salaries, the industry will not be able to operate. Apart from that, we need to drastically change approaches to salary calculation and performance criteria. We should introduce clear and comprehensible salary calculation methods, test them and use them,” the vice premier noted.
He emphasized that the decisions taken at the session should be fulfilled as soon as possible.
A joint seminar of the Architecture and Construction Ministry and the Education Ministry to discuss personnel issues in the construction sector took place in Vitebsk on 17 October. Taking part in the seminar were Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Kukharev, Education Minister Igor Karpenko, Architecture and Construction Minister Dmitry Mikulenok, heads of companies and educational institutions.
