Mechanisms of Interaction between the Labor Market and Higher Education in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation

Annotation

This paper examines the problem of interaction between the labor market and the higher education system in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation (AZRF) using the Murmansk and Arkhangelsk Oblasts as examples. The relevance of the topic is determined by the structural imbalances between the demand for qualified personnel and the supply from educational organizations, which leads to a shortage of specialists in key sectors of the regional economy. The aim of the work is to identify key coordination mechanisms between these institutions to reduce the unemployment rate, increase employment, and supply the AZRF regions with specialists capable of working effectively in Arctic conditions. The research is based on an integrated approach, combining the analysis of Rosstat data, results from a survey of students and graduates of AZRF universities, and expert interviews with representatives of universities, employers, and public authorities. Key problems were identified: mismatch between graduates’ competencies and employers’ requirements, lack of practical training, low awareness of the labor market situation, and the outmigration of young people. Based on the data obtained, the authors propose a model of interaction that includes an analytical and forecasting unit for monitoring personnel needs, modernization of the personnel training unit through joint educational programs with employers and strengthening the practice-oriented component of training, as well as a unit to promote employment and retention of young specialists in the region. The implementation of the proposed mechanism will reduce the structural gap between education and the economy, mitigate the labor shortage in the Arctic regions, and improve the quality of specialist training.

About authors

Konstantin S. Zaikov, Dr. Sci. (Hist.), Associate Professor
k.zaikov@narfu.ru, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6479-416X
Northern (Arctic) Federal University named after M.V. Lomonosov, Naberezhnaya Severnoy Dviny, 17, Arkhangelsk, Russia

Anastasia A. Baiborodina, Graduate student
a.baiborodina@narfu.ru
Northern (Arctic) Federal University named after M.V. Lomonosov, Naberezhnaya Severnoy Dviny, 17, Arkhangelsk, Russia

Keywords

mechanisms of interaction, labor market, higher education, Arctic zone of the Russian Federation

DOI

https://doi.org/10.37482/issn2221-2698.2025.61.200

UDC

[331.5:378](985)(045)