Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan plans to expand language and vocational training for citizens seeking employment abroad from 2027, tailoring programmes to the requirements of foreign employers. The plans were discussed on 19 October 2026 by Migration Agency Director Muhsinhuja Abdurakhmonov and International Organization for Migration (IOM) representative Andrew Gray.
The training will include targeted language and vocational courses lasting between three and six months. Uzbekistan also plans to increase the number of skilled workers taking up employment in other countries.
Developing labour mobility with Sweden was another focus of the meeting. Under agreements between the two countries, the sides intend to develop a pilot employment mechanism, examine procedures for issuing work permits and assess approaches to determining workforce needs.
The officials also discussed expanding pre-departure training for citizens planning to work abroad. In addition to language and professional skills, the programmes will cover labour rights, financial literacy, employment contract terms and working conditions in destination countries.
Greater attention is also planned for protecting prospective migrant workers against online fraud and cyber threats.
The INTIL centre is expected to serve as one of the main venues for this training.
Gray said foreign countries and employers were showing growing interest in specialists from Uzbekistan.
Following the talks, both sides stressed that the effectiveness of their cooperation should be measured not by the number of events held but by the practical benefits delivered to citizens.
The main priorities will be preparing specialists who meet the needs of overseas employers and improving citizens' readiness for employment outside Uzbekistan.
