Kyrgyzstan has updated its vocational education standards: IT, construction and agricultural specialisms have been added

New state educational standards for initial vocational education (IVE) have been approved in Kyrgyzstan. The relevant order was signed by the Deputy Minister of Education, Azamat Makhmetkulov.

The document introduces updated standards across a range of professions — from traditional trades to IT fields. The list includes, in particular:

• tractor drivers and farmers;
• welders, bricklayers and fitters;
• drivers;
• seamstresses and cutters;
• equipment repair specialists;
• software developers and web programmers;
• information security specialists.

Thus, the VET system is expanding its scope — alongside industrial and construction professions, digital specialisms are being integrated into it.

The Republican Scientific and Methodological Centre under the Ministry of Education of the Kyrgyz Republic has been tasked with developing model curricula based on the new standards within a month, whilst educational institutions are required to bring their training programmes into line with them.

The standards are mandatory for all educational institutions delivering initial vocational education programmes, regardless of their ownership status.

The document will come into force seven working days after its official publication.