The 5th Youth Environmental Forum and Festival, The Arctic. The Ice Has Broken, is being held in the capital of the Nenets Autonomous Area for the first time. The event’s business program kicked off with a plenary session titled Social Elevator Beyond the Arctic Circle: Why the Arctic Offers Faster Opportunities Than a Megacity.The speakers – Alexei Chekunkov, Minister for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic ; Dmitry Platygin, Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Protection; Sergei Novikov, Chief of the Presidential Directorate for Social Projects; and Irina Gekht, Governor of the Nenets Autonomous Area – outlined the opportunities the Arctic has to offer.Minister Chekunkov stressed that all Arctic development efforts are ultimately aimed at improving the quality of life. “The President has approved a program of master plans for the development of core Arctic communities,” he noted. “These plans include major economic projects that will enable people in the Arctic to earn wages well above the national average. That is a crucial factor in attracting young people to the region.”Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Protection Dmitry Platygin presented workforce projections for Russia’s Arctic zone.“The highest demand is for engineering and technical roles – electricians, metalworkers, and drillers – which reflects the region’s economic profile,” he said. “Today, we need to focus on one of the most promising sources of labor supply: young people.”Dmitry Platygin added that employers are shifting from a passive approach to active recruitment. He emphasized that it is not enough simply to sign targeted training agreements; students also need ongoing support through internships, work placements, and practical training to ensure they are matched with specific employers.Sergei Novikov encouraged forum participants to view the Arctic as a region of opportunity for personal and professional growth.“The Arctic is a place for those with a strong character,” he said. “Here, you can advance quickly in your career. What matters most is having drive, a team of like-minded people, and real commitment. And above all, if this is your first visit to the Arctic, fall in love with it, and you’ll keep coming back.”Governor Irina Gekht highlighted the unique advantages the Arctic offers young people. “Here, you see results immediately,” she said. “We can’t change the climate, but with rising wages and new fields opening up – and with them, new jobs – the current economic conditions make it more cost-effective to train local personnel than to bring in rotational workers.”The Governor also noted progress in the region’s vocational education and healthcare systems.“We are restructuring the secondary vocational education system to train engineers and technical specialists for the oil industry,” she explained. “This in turn drives the development of healthcare – we are introducing Arctic medical standards, digital technologies, and remote patient monitoring.”
The 5th Youth Environmental Forum and Festival, The Arctic. The Ice Has Broken, is being held in the capital of the Nenets Autonomous Area for the first time. The event’s business program kicked off with a plenary session titled Social Elevator Beyond the Arctic Circle: Why the Arctic Offers Faster Opportunities Than a Megacity.
The speakers – Alexei Chekunkov, Minister for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic ; Dmitry Platygin, Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Protection; Sergei Novikov, Chief of the Presidential Directorate for Social Projects; and Irina Gekht, Governor of the Nenets Autonomous Area – outlined the opportunities the Arctic has to offer.
Minister Chekunkov stressed that all Arctic development efforts are ultimately aimed at improving the quality of life. “The President has approved a program of master plans for the development of core Arctic communities,” he noted. “These plans include major economic projects that will enable people in the Arctic to earn wages well above the national average. That is a crucial factor in attracting young people to the region.”
Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Protection Dmitry Platygin presented workforce projections for Russia’s Arctic zone.
“The highest demand is for engineering and technical roles – electricians, metalworkers, and drillers – which reflects the region’s economic profile,” he said. “Today, we need to focus on one of the most promising sources of labor supply: young people.”
Dmitry Platygin added that employers are shifting from a passive approach to active recruitment. He emphasized that it is not enough simply to sign targeted training agreements; students also need ongoing support through internships, work placements, and practical training to ensure they are matched with specific employers.
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At the Plenary Session of the 5th Youth Environmental Forum The Arctic. The Ice Has Broken
Sergei Novikov encouraged forum participants to view the Arctic as a region of opportunity for personal and professional growth.
“The Arctic is a place for those with a strong character,” he said. “Here, you can advance quickly in your career. What matters most is having drive, a team of like-minded people, and real commitment. And above all, if this is your first visit to the Arctic, fall in love with it, and you’ll keep coming back.”
Governor Irina Gekht highlighted the unique advantages the Arctic offers young people. “Here, you see results immediately,” she said. “We can’t change the climate, but with rising wages and new fields opening up – and with them, new jobs – the current economic conditions make it more cost-effective to train local personnel than to bring in rotational workers.”
The Governor also noted progress in the region’s vocational education and healthcare systems.
“We are restructuring the secondary vocational education system to train engineers and technical specialists for the oil industry,” she explained. “This in turn drives the development of healthcare – we are introducing Arctic medical standards, digital technologies, and remote patient monitoring.”
