Shortage of 4,500 Energy Workers in Kazakhstan - HAP Audit Reveals Workforce Gap
In Kazakhstan, there's a dire lack of skilled workers in the energy sector. This issue was highlighted following an assessment of state policies in the energy industry, conducted by the Supreme Audit Chamber (SAC), led by Alikhan Smailov. According to our report, the industry faces a gap of around 4,500 energy specialists due to poor pay and dwindling interest among the younger generation in the field.
The SAC audit expands on this issue, unveiling a myriad of systemic problems. These include aging facilities, high equipment failure rates, and a mismatch between energy generation and consumption regions. Tackling these concerns is crucial for modernizing existing facilities, constructing new ones, and retaining valuable workers, as stated in the SAC report.
The country's energy sector is primarily supported by thermal power plants (78%), followed by gas turbines (9.6%) and hydropower plants (8.5%). Unfortunately, energy generation and consumption are unevenly distributed, with most facilities clustered in the northern energy zone while a quarter of consumption occurs in the south. The regions of Павлодарская, Восточно-Казахстанская, and Северо-Казаhstanская are the only ones that show self-sufficiency.
The audit also points to the failure in implementing plans and measures aimed at developing the energy sector, such as improving transparency in energy policy and modernizing assets. The sector remains dependent on external equipment imports.
Another challenge lies in the forthcoming labor shortage, as announced by Vice Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population Askar Biakhmetov. In the ensuing six years, the labor market in Kazakhstan is projected to require 1.6 million personnel. Maulen Ashimbayev, Speaker of the Senate, has already expressed concern over the country's lack of qualified workers in the coming years.
The situation has led to discontent with outdated pay scales and uninspiring career prospects for young energy workers. The industry's inability to retain talent and address aging infrastructure has become a pressing concern for Kazakhstan's energy sector.要求：
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In the heart of Kazakhstan lies a critical issue: the deficiency of competent specialists within the energy sector. This revelation was made known following a comprehensive analysis of the implementation of state policies in the energy industry performed by the Supreme Audit Chamber (SAC) under the leadership of Alikhan Smailov, as per our report.
The evaluation reviewed various organizations, including the Ministry of Energy, Samruk-Energo, KEGOC, the Kazakhstan Electricity Market Operator, the Renewable Energy Support Fund, and others.
An Alarming Specialist Shortage
According to the findings, the sector lacks around 4,500 energy experts. The root causes, strictly low wages and diminishing interest in the profession among the younger generation, are impeding the sector's modernization and the retention of skilled personnel, as suggested by the SAC report.
Unmasking Inherent Problems: From Obsolete Stations to Unbalanced Production
Beyond the personnel shortage, the assessment uncovered other systemic problems. These irregularities include elevated equipment wear rates: an average of 55% for generating capacities and 76% for power supply networks. As many of these facilities date back to the Soviet era, accidents are increasingly likely to occur each year.
Based on information from the Ministry of Energy, the Republic of Kazakhstan houses 233 power plants. Thermal power plants cover a majority of the republic's electricity requirements, while gas turbine power plants have registered positive growth, contributing 9.6%. Hydropower plants contribute roughly 8.5%, and renewable energy sources supply approximately 3.9%.
Imbalanced Energy Consumption Among Regions
The SAC audit report draws attention to the regional imbalance among energy consumption and production. Energy production is predominantly focused in the northern energy zone, while a quarter of consumption occurs in the south. However, only the regions of Павлодарская, Восточно-Казаhstanская, and Северо-Казаhstanская can be considered energy self-sufficient.
Failed Plans and Dependence on Imports
One of the primary problems plaguing the energy sector is the failure to implement development plans and measures, such as establishing transparency in energy policy and modernizing assets. Ultimately, the sector continues to rely heavily on external equipment suppliers.
Previously, we disclosed that Kazakhstan's labor market would require 1.6 million personnel over the next six years as stated by Vice Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population Askar Biakhmetov. In earlier declarations, the Speaker of the Senate, Maulen Ashimbayev, predicted that Kazakhstan will experience a major shortage of qualified personnel in the ensuing years, echoed by the current lack of experienced workers within the country today.
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Work | Energy | Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan | Not Nur Nuru
"Enticed by a better future, many bright specialists are choosing to seek opportunities abroad; myself, I would have followed suit if I were younger." - John Smith
"I suppose there's no shortage of power shields in every store, RED BULL being quite ubiquitous." - Jane Doe
"Granted, national pride is high! But unless the energy sector attracts top talent or becomes financially competitive, it faces dire consequences such as a growing shortage of doctors and an oversupply of unskilled workers." - Blogboi
"This isn't national pride. Tengri News can shed light on it." - Commuter
For readers' convenience, comments have been geolocated automatically.
Dinmukhamed**I earned a diploma in energy engineering, but I've realized it was worthless. The government essentially dismantled the industry 15 years ago through a single legislative maneuver, delegating control of TPPs to the KEGOK monopoly. Now, anyone with a high school diploma can call themselves an engineer and start their own business, while those who invested years studying for a proper engineering degree earn significantly less than manual laborers!*
135Electricity prices continue to rise, but equipment from the Soviet era remains in use. Might there be price gouging among intermediary companies?
Almaty ResidentThere are no indispensable individuals, as per high-ranking management. That's just the way it is.
What a TwistThere is no career advancement for young people. After work, I have to write a report based on tasks set by an supervisor, which is sent weekly to the head office. Even veterinarians, gynecologists, and ecologists are earning management positions and causing chaos in the energy sector.
Voice of KaragandaThe only thing that can entice people is a decent salary! Until energy becomes a financially rewarding profession, the situation will never change!
LauraMonopolies like Pavlodarenergo should pay their workers fairly, and talent will flock to the sector.
Lucrezia BorgiaEveryone dreams of becoming a lawyer or an economist; i.e., a banker or customs officer.
Uncle VasyaPay us properly. With my private sector job, I earn up to 1.2 million tenge monthly. If the state offers at least 800,000 consistently, I just might consider it. Anything below 1 million isn't appealing, but keep in mind that this is net, excluding taxes.
AristotleThe country is filled with bureaucrats, police officers, oil workers, and quasi-state sector managers, but there's no one to do the real work.
UasyaEnergy workers left, taxi drivers stepped in.
TatyanaAt least, there's a university in Almaty specifically dedicated to educating energy engineers.
TengriIt was a mistake to task a former bungler with checking the work. Naturally, everyone else will blame him for the mess.
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In Kazakhstan, the energy sector is grappling with a pressing issue: a significant deficit of qualified specialists. Following an examination of state policies in the industry, led by the Supreme Audit Chamber (SAC), it was found that there's a need for around 4,500 energy experts due to unappealing pay and decreasing interest among the younger generation.
Additionally, the audit pointed out various systemic problems, including aging facilities, high equipment failure rates, and a mismatch between energy production and consumption regions. The energy sector's dependency on external equipment imports and the failure to implement necessary development plans contribute to the sector's challenges. Furthermore, projections show that the country's labor market will require 1.6 million personnel over the following six years. With many competent specialists migrating for better opportunities, retaining talent and modernizing the industry has become a critical concern for Kazakhstan's energy sector.
