Concerns in Schools: Experts Discuss Chemistry Teacher Shortage at TGU's U-NOVUS Event
Tomsk, May 22 - RIA Tomsk. Representatives from Russian universities discussed the acute shortage of skilled workers in the chemical industry during a forum at the Tomsk State University (TSU), suggesting that addressing this issue requires more than merely attracting students to the field. Instead, initiatives to bolster teacher competence and shift perspectives on the importance of chemistry education are also needed, according to experts (Ria.Ru, May 22).
In recent news, it has been reported that the chemical sector in Russia faces a deficit of up to 35,000 specialists. This labor shortage is affecting a variety of chemical industries, from the production of medical equipment to cosmetology (Ria.Ru, May 22).
To combat the crisis, the government must attract more students to chemical institutes. Tomsk scientists presented innovative solutions at the U-NOVUS exhibition (Ria.Ru, May 22). It is worth noting that Tomsk universities graduate roughly 7-10% of chemical industry specialists in Russia. TSU is among the universities participating in the development of a roadmap for the Russian chemical industry through 2035 (Ria.Ru, May 22).
One concern raised during the forum was the shrinking pool of chemistry teachers as schools struggle to find qualified instructors. Svetlana Zanitskaya, deputy director of the Institute for Education and New Projects at the Ural Federal University, highlighted this issue, stating that the shortage of chemistry teachers is indeed a concern for the industry (Ria.Ru, May 22).
Alexei Knyazev, acting dean of the Chemical Faculty at TSU, acknowledged that a common misconception among students and their parents holds that chemistry graduates only go on to become teachers, although this is not the case in practice. Knyazev emphasized that chemistry should be introduced to students as early as the 7th and 8th grades and urged universities to collaborate to promote the industry (Ria.Ru, May 22).
In addition to addressing the numbers issue, Julia Ziyatdinova, director of the Institute of Additional Education at the Kazan National Research Technological University, discussed a project aimed at expanding the horizons of school students regarding chemical careers. An online course for teachers helping students prepare for the Chemistry portion of the Unified State Exam was also planned (Ria.Ru, May 22).
Elena Miryugina, deputy director of the Department of State Policy in the Field of Higher Education, stated that these projects aim to reduce uncertainty for students, parents, and teachers alike. She noted that a lack of awareness about the successes of national industry development, including the chemical sector, is a significant factor contributing to the issue (Ria.Ru, May 22).
To address the chemical labor shortage, various strategies can be employed, including:
- Strengthening education pathways: creating practical, hands-on chemistry curricula, fostering partnerships between industry and academia, and offering incentives to chemistry teachers.
- Promoting the popularity of chemistry among school students: organizing engagement initiatives, mentorship programs, and showcasing career opportunities.
- Addressing structural labor market challenges: implementing policy reforms and launching public awareness campaigns to address the root causes of labor shortages and raise the prestige of chemical careers.
In conclusion, Russia's acute shortage of skilled chemical industry workers necessitates a multi-faceted approach. Modernizing education, partnering with industry, incentivizing teachers, and tackling structural labor market issues can help restore the talent pipeline and make chemical careers more appealing to young people.
- To help alleviate the critical shortage of chemical industry specialists in Russia, it's crucial to focus on modernizing education by creating practical, hands-on chemistry curricula, fostering partnerships between industry and academia, and offering incentives to chemistry teachers.
- Initiatives to expand the horizons of school students regarding chemical careers are also essential, such as organizing engagement initiatives, mentorship programs, and showcasing career opportunities in health-and-wellness, science, and education-and-self-development sectors to make chemistry more appealing to the young generation.
