Engaging young people in the development of the North Caucasus is the primary goal of Kavkaz.RF and North Caucasus Federal University.

A meeting on staffing the tourism industry in the North Caucasus Federal District was held at the Pyatigorsk Institute of North Caucasus Federal University. Representatives of the Kavkaz.RF Development Institute, the Association for the Development of Human Resources in the Tourism Industry of the North Caucasus Federal District, and North Caucasus Federal University participated. Those present discussed the shortage of qualified specialists in the resort industry and the growing need for such personnel.

"The issue of staffing shortages, given the specifics of the region, can be resolved by combining the efforts of government, education, and business. The Human Resources Development Association we created aims to engage employers in developing targeted training so that universities and vocational schools understand the current shortage of specialists in the market. Only in this way can we fill the industry with competent workers of various levels," said Timur Kebekov, Deputy General Director of Kavkaz.RF.

The collaboration between Kavkaz.RF and NCFU is focused on engaging young people in the development of the macroregion and human resource development projects, primarily in the hospitality sector. Effective collaboration formats include student expeditions "Rediscovering Russia," case championships, and initiatives aimed at developing the tourism and investment potential of the North Caucasus.

"NCFU has developed a full-cycle tourism training program—from vocational training and secondary vocational education to higher education programs. We focus on practice-oriented training and synchronizing educational programs with real-life work in tourism industry companies," noted Tatyana Shebzukhova, Acting Rector of NCFU.

The Association regularly holds job fairs at educational institutions and companies and has already facilitated the signing of 140 targeted training agreements.

"We have a number of strategic agreements with regional executive authorities, we work with universities and colleges throughout the Caucasus, and we provide career guidance to high school graduates. We see the interest of all parties: businesses, education, government, and the students themselves. Our goal is to become the connecting link that will unite all efforts and help develop the region's human resources potential," added Fatima Dzutseva, Acting Head of the Association for the Development of Human Resources in the North Caucasus Federal District's Tourism Industry.