LocationsAs the global economy undergoes rapid digital transformation, Belarus is preparing a new generation of professionals. The ProfSkills Belarus 2025 national vocational skills competition, held in Minsk, was more than just a showcase of achievements — it served as a live laboratory for testing the professions of tomorrow.
ProfSkills Belarus 2025: New Horizons for Vocational Education
June 16, 2025
Photo: UNDP in Belarus
International research reveals a complex picture of the future labor market. According to the World Economic Forum's report, technological development by 2030 will bring significant changes: while 9 million jobs will disappear, 19 million new ones will be created. The manufacturing sector will be particularly affected, with automation and robotics leading to a net loss of 5 million jobs.
These global trends are already visible in Belarus. Local enterprises are rapidly embracing digital technologies and automation, fundamentally reshaping skill requirements for technical professions. While hands-on expertise remains vital, proficiency with cutting-edge equipment and software has become equally essential.
The importance of adapting to digital transformation is also highlighted in the UNDP's 2025 Human Development Report. Given the pace of technological progress, Belarus must develop comprehensive retraining programs, continuous learning opportunities for workers, and modernized training pathways for emerging jobs. Upgrading the education system will help mitigate growing inequality stemming from workplace technological disruption.
How UNDP is Helping Train Future Professionals
UNDP is actively supporting Belarus' vocational education system as it adapts to new realities. In early 2024, in partnership with Belarus' Ministry of Education and the Republican Institute of Vocational Education (RIPO), UNDP conducted research that identified 15 emerging professions and over 100 related competencies in construction, agriculture, and engineering.
80% of these jobs require digital skills — from big data analytics to industrial robot programming.
Photo: UNDP in Belarus
However, research is only the starting point. UNDP is deeply involved in upskilling those responsible for training future professionals. Over the past 18 months, more than 900 instructors, industry trainers, HR specialists, and experts have received training in innovative technologies.
UNDP also contributed to preparing this year's national vocational skills competition. Over 200 educators were trained in contemporary teaching methodologies, while first-time training sessions were organized for experts across 23 competency areas.
Over 200 educators were trained in contemporary teaching methodologies.
Photo: UNDP in Belarus
ProfSkills: Workforce Development for the New Economy
This year's competition reflected the ongoing changes in vocational education. It brought together over 300 students from vocational schools and universities across Belarus, along with about 100 international participants from seven countries — Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and Zimbabwe. Competitions were held in 50 categories ranging from construction and manufacturing to IT and robotics.
Valery Golubovsky, Rector of the Republican Institute of Vocational Education, at the closing ceremony of the VI Republican Professional Skills Competition “ProfSkills Belarus 2025".
Photo: UNDP in Belarus
"The technologies featured in competition challenges are being integrated into our curricula, elevating vocational training across all specialties. What's particularly encouraging is the active involvement of industry partners—roughly 80 companies provided equipment and helped design competition tasks."Valery Golubovsky, RIPO's Rector
The challenges reflected precisely current industry realities. For the first time, auto mechanics trained on electric vehicles, electricians worked with KNX smart home systems, and participants explored emerging technologies like Industry 4.0 and Digital Agriculture—innovations just starting to be adopted in enterprises.
An electrician works with KNX smart home systems.
Photo: UNDP in Belarus
"Industry 4.0 is about the application of digital technologies in manufacturing," explained Olga Lukyanenko, an expert and instructor at RIPO's College of Modern Technologies in Mechanical Engineering and Auto Service. "Participants first created a digital twin of a production line, then assembled and remotely programmed it. These technologies are already widely used globally, and specialists in this field are in high demand. While this is still a demonstration category for us, we hope it will soon become a core competition area."
Bogdan, a student from the College of Modern Technologies in Mechanical Engineering and Automotive Service, a branch of the Russian Institute of Professional Education, at the Industry 4.0 demo competence site.
Photo: UNDP in Belarus
The Digital Agriculture competency demonstrated how modern technology is transforming farming. Participants operated weather stations, data analysis systems, and equipment autopilots.
"Modern agriculture is now driven by technology," explained expert Anna Pimenova. "Digital solutions enable precise crop treatment. Before, this was done by eye, but with climate change, traditional methods often fail. We want Digital Agriculture to become a permanent ProfSkills category, which means integrating this knowledge into curricula. We've already established training centers at several colleges, including Vidsy College, which recently graduated its first precision agriculture specialists."
Business Program: Fostering International Dialogue
The competition featured an extensive business program with participants from multiple countries. Plenary sessions and panel discussions addressed a broad spectrum of current issues in vocational education development, with contributions from academics, educators, and industry representatives from 10 countries.
Renfei Liu, UNDP's Resident Representativein Belarus, at the opening of the business program of the VI Republican Professional Skills Competition “ProfSkills Belarus 2025.”
Photo: UNDP in Belarus
"Behind every technological breakthrough are people who can learn, adapt, and innovate in new circumstances. Vocational education is key to this mission. To be relevant in the fast-changing world, vocational education can’t remain static. It must keep pace, adapt, and lead. It must be future-ready."Renfei Liu, UNDP Resident Representative in Belarus
Specific solutions implemented by UNDP to achieve these objectives were explored in depth during a panel discussion on future professional skills.
Svetlana Biran, a Thematic Coordinator of the “Developing youth innovative potential for accelerated sustainable development in Belarus,” at a panel discussion during the VI Republican Professional Skills Competition “ProfSkills Belarus 2025.”
Photo: UNDP in Belarus
Skills Competitions: A Platform for Vocational Education Development
Participation in ProfSkills provides young people with opportunities to showcase their abilities and advance their careers. Winners get advantages when applying to relevant universities, and top performers may join Belarus' national skills team for international competitions.
However, ProfSkills' significance extends beyond individual achievements. The competition helps identify top professionals while setting benchmarks for vocational education development. It has become a platform connecting students with employers and facilitating knowledge exchange between Belarusian and international experts.
The 6th ProfSkills Belarus 2025 national vocational skills competition was organized with support from the "Developing Youth Innovation Potential for Accelerated Sustainable Development in Belarus" project, implemented by UNDP in Belarus in partnership with Belarus' Ministry of Education and the RIPO, with funding from the Russian Federation.
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