The Development Corporation of the Nizhny Novgorod Region and NSTU signed a cooperation agreement on workforce training

Igor Ishchenko, Director General of the Development Corporation of the Nizhny Novgorod Region, and Sergey Dmitriev, Rector of the Alekseev Nizhny Novgorod State Technical University (NSTU), have signed a cooperation agreement between the organizations. The document is aimed at developing the region’s educational potential and meeting the workforce needs of residents of special economic zone (SEZ) “Kulibin”.

Under the cooperation framework, the parties plan to train and retrain specialists, establish specialized departments tailored to the needs of SEZ residents, support targeted education at the university, organize career guidance activities for students – including tours of SEZ resident enterprises – and develop and implement new technologies in production processes.

“In the current labor market situation, many enterprises are increasingly focusing on students and entry‑level specialists. Cooperation with one of the region’s leading technical universities opens new opportunities for “Kulibin” SEZ residents to start training future employees early, based on technologies already in use at their production facilities,” said Igor Ishchenko.

In addition, the Development Corporation and NSTU plan to hold joint research events, conferences, competitions, and exhibitions.

“This partnership gives our students something you can’t get from a textbook – real immersion in the production processes of operating enterprises. For us, it’s not just about producing diplomaed specialists, but about nurturing professionals who understand the specifics of modern production from day one. The “Kulibin” SEZ brings together companies with ambitious technology projects, and the opportunity for our students to learn at such sites is invaluable experience. We are committed to long‑term cooperation that benefits all parties: students gain practical experience and employment prospects, enterprises get motivated staff, and the region sees the development of its engineering school,” noted Sergey Dmitriev.

For reference, the Development Corporation of the Nizhny Novgorod Region – the management company of SEZ – has developed a comprehensive workforce support program for site residents. It includes analyzing companies’ needs, establishing a system of interaction with educational institutions, developing new and adjusting existing educational programs, organizing internships and work placements for students at resident companies, implementing targeted training programs, running career and career guidance projects, and providing tools for swiftly filling vacancies.

Previously, the Development Corporation of the Nizhny Novgorod Region signed cooperation agreements with Lobachevsky Nizhny Novgorod State University, HSE University – Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod State Architecture and Civil Engineering University, and Minin University.

Moreover, Nizhny Novgorod students can take guided tours of the production site of “Sintez OKA” group of companies, which is part of the “Kulibin” SEZ, as well as facilities operated by resident companies “RusSilika”, “Plastmatika”, “Homa”, and “RT‑Composite Gas Cylinders”. For information on organizing tours, please contact the Directorate for Developing Human Resources and Educational Potential for Investment Projects at the Development Corporation of the Nizhny Novgorod Region (tel. +7 (831) 469‑03‑60, terekhin@nn‑invest.ru).