Sectoral practices of career guidance for schoolchildren as a training tool for the regional agro-industrial complex

Introduction. Ensuring human resources for the regional agro-industrial complex amid the industry›s technological modernization is gaining strategic importance for the country›s food security. The proportion of young employees in agriculture accounts for only 9% of the total workforce, necessitating urgent measures to attract youth to the sector. Rural schools are a key partner for agribusiness enterprises and possess the potential to become an integral part of the agro-industrial complex ecosystem for career guidance and training of future personnel.

Methods. The study was conducted in 2025 and encompassed all federal districts of the Russian Federation. The methodological framework consisted of a survey of teachers from general education schools and centers of supplementary education (n = 1462), including those from rural areas (n = 320).

Results. The findings reveal that teachers in rural schools have insufficient knowledge of regional and local staffing needs, potential investment projects, centers of advanced competencies, opportunities for partnership with industry enterprises, as well as career guidance methodologies. Despite a pressing need, collaboration with employers is nonsystemic in nature. Recommendations are provided for organizing partnerships between schools and agro-industrial enterprises, including within the framework of the Ministry of Agriculture’s “Agro-tech Classes” project.

1. Dolgushkin N.K., Novikov V.G. Development of the human potential of agricultureas a basic factor in ensuring the country’s food security. International agricultural journal. 2023; 66(1): 8–15 (in Russian). https://www.elibrary.ru/qlpimz

2. Erochkina N.V., Potapova L.N. Personnel potential of agribusiness enterprises: situation and prospects of development. Journal of Altai academy of economics and law. 2020; (6–1): 37–41 (in Russian). https://doi.org/10.17513/vaael.1161

3. Zinich L.V., Kuznetsova N.A. Modern staff potential of agricultural organizations. Food Policy and Security. 2023; 10(1): 207–218 (in Russian). https://doi.org/10.18334/ppib.10.1.116708

4. Demishkevich G.M., Khlusova I.A., Khlusov V.N. Trends in changes in human resources potential of the agro-industrial complex of the Russian Federation. Moscow: Russian academy of personnel support for the agroindustrial complex. 2020; 150 (in Russian). ISBN 978-5-93098-091-2 https://www.elibrary.ru/euanvj

5. Pevtsova E.A. Legal and pedagogical aspects of personnel training for the modern agro-industrial complex. Public Education. 2025; (4): 24–28 (in Russian). https://elibrary.ru/jxuepo

6. Sergeev I.S. Educational professional orientation and school professional orientation: coincidence in area, discrepancy in meanings. INSIGHT. 2023; (3): 11–48 (in Russian). https://doi.org/10.17853/2686-8970-2023-3-11-48

7. Kiryakova A.V., Sarzhe A.V., Ekhov S.F. (eds.). Updating and reinterpretation of the experience of labor education for schoolchildren in modern conditions. Monograph. St. Petersburg: Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia. 2025; 158 (in Russian). ISBN 978-5-8064-3587-4 https://elibrary.ru/erzfiv

8. Shlenskaya N.M. Career Guidance in Russian Educational Practice: Scoping Review. Journal of Employment and Career. 2022; 1(3): 54–75 (in Russian). https://doi.org/10.56414/jeac.2022.19

9. Kushnir A.M., Ilaltdinova E.Yu. School mini-industrial park and the children and adult educational production: conceptually essential aspect. Sotsial’naya pedagogika. 2012; (4): 12–19 (in Russian). https://elibrary.ru/penfmz

10. Mahanani R.S., Prasetyo H., Kurniawan B.P.Y., Suranto D.D. Innovation Ecosystems for Teaching Factory Agribusiness: A Strategic Framework. Journal of Business Management. 2024; 2(1): 25–35. https://doi.org/10.47134/jobm.v2i1.26

11. Yami M., Feleke S., Abdoulaye T., Alene A.D., Bamba Z., Manyong V. African Rural Youth Engagement in Agribusiness: Achievements, Limitations, and Lessons. Sustainability. 2019; 11(1): 185. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11010185

12. Sergeev I.S. The ecosystem of educational professional orientation. Career guidance and professional self-determination of students: challenges of the time. Collection of scientific papers (dedicated to the 85th anniversary of Academician of the Russian Academy of Education, Doctor of Pedagogy, Professor S.N. Chistyakova). Moscow: Gubkin University. 2024; 183–193 (in Russian). https://elibrary.ru/tlpjtd

13. Khudyakova E., Shitikova A., Stepantsevich M.N., Grecheneva A. Requirements of Modern Russian Agricultural Production for Digital Competencies of an Agricultural Specialist. Education Sciences. 2023; 13(2): 203. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13020203

14. Noskova T.N., Pavlova T.B. Digitalization of learning environment and teacher training issues. Modern Education and Society. 2024; 1(3): 220–228 (in Russian). https://elibrary.ru/bxglil