Doubling financial aid granted to a single college student
Increased Funding Transforms Technical and Vocational Education in Kazakhstan
Starting September 1, 2025, per capita funding for technical and vocational education (TVET) organizations in Kazakhstan will double, marking a significant step towards modernizing the sector and improving workforce readiness.
The new funding system, approved by the Cabinet, consists of two parts: the main and the incentive. Colleges that have achieved established performance indicators will be eligible for the incentive part of the funding. However, the specific performance indicators for the incentive part have yet to be disclosed.
The increased funding is expected to support modernization efforts, with TVET organizations anticipated to modernize their educational facilities and purchase modern equipment. This modernization will be accompanied by the integration of AI technologies and online learning, ensuring that Kazakhstan's TVET colleges are equipped with the latest pedagogical tools.
The system also prioritizes employer partnerships, with the number of enterprises involved increasing sevenfold to 4,000 in recent years. Together, colleges and businesses have developed 10,000 educational programs, and 1,500 teachers will undertake workplace internships in 2025 to sharpen practical skills.
Commercialization of services is another trending topic, alongside deepening inclusivity in curricula and workforce training to address both equity and labor market demands. The upcoming World Inclusion Congress 2025 in Almaty highlights TVET’s role in creating accessible, inclusive skills pathways aligned with emerging labor market needs.
Kazakhstan aims to fill a gap of approximately 3 million skilled workers over the next 3–5 years. To address this demand, the integration of targeted AI-based digital platforms will identify skill shortages and better match training with job opportunities, improving labor market alignment. Increased per capita funding will facilitate such platform deployment and KPI tracking to enhance employment outcomes.
With growing emphasis on entrepreneurship and service commercialization in TVET institutions, increased funding may enable colleges to develop fee-based programs, professional training services, and partnerships with industry for innovation projects. This creates new revenue streams and sustainability paths for TVET organizations.
However, it remains unclear if the incentive part of the funding in the new system will be a fixed amount or proportionate to the performance. The new funding system does not indicate any changes to the eligibility criteria for receiving the incentive part of the funding.
The improvement of the qualifications of teaching staff in TVET organizations in Kazakhstan is anticipated with the increased funding. The potential development of the institutions themselves through product commercialization is another promising aspect of the new funding system.
In conclusion, the increased funding from 2025 positions Kazakhstan’s TVET sector for digital transformation, stronger employer collaboration, inclusivity advancement, and enhanced commercial opportunities. These changes aim to prepare an agile, skilled workforce to meet economic demands and contribute to social equity.
[1] Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan [2] World Inclusion Congress 2025 [3] UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education [4] Digital Kazakhstan
- The increased per capita funding starting in 2025 will allow technical and vocational education (TVET) organizations in Kazakhstan to modernize their facilities and integrate AI technologies, creating a more digitally transformed education system. (finance, education-and-self-development)
- The new funding system, which prioritizes employer partnerships, commercialization of services, and inclusivity in curricula, positions TVET institutions in Kazakhstan to develop fee-based programs and professional training services, providing them with new revenue streams and sustainability paths. (finance, education-and-self-development)
