Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan is ready to transfer technical colleges to energy-sector investors for management to ensure that new projects have access to qualified specialists. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced the initiative on 16 October during an open dialogue with investors in the fuel and energy sector.
As an example, the president cited Saudi company Acwa, which is equipping technical colleges in Karakalpakstan and the Bukhara and Syrdarya regions with modern equipment. The company is also beginning to train hundreds of young people each year in new energy-related fields.
Mirziyoyev urged other investors to take a more active role in training specialists in line with international standards and the workforce requirements of their projects. To support such initiatives, the government is ready to transfer educational institutions to private companies for management.
Starting next academic year, Uzbekistan plans to increase university admission quotas for energy-related programmes. In addition, government grants will be awarded annually to support 50 talented young people studying at leading universities around the world.
EDF Executive Vice President Cedric Leboucher said the company already had joint projects focused on training specialists for the energy sector and was ready to expand this work.
Acwa Chairman Muhammad Abunayyan also stressed the importance of preparing young people for modern occupations required by the company’s new projects.
By 2030, Uzbekistan plans to add 22,000 MW of new generation capacity, creating a need to train specialists for the expanding energy sector.
