Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –
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In 2026, the "Best in Profession" competition will feature a special category, "Second Start," dedicated to veterans of special military operations who have embarked on a new career path. This decision was made during a meeting of the organizing committee of the All-Russian "Best in Profession" professional skills competition. The federal stage of this category will be held in the Samara Region.
The special "Second Start" category became part of the "Best in Profession" competition in 2025. Unlike other categories, which pit the best specialists in a single profession against each other, "Second Start" is open to representatives of various professions who have begun working in a new profession or under new conditions.
"We've decided to dedicate the 2026 'Second Start' category held in the Samara Region to veterans of the Air Defense Forces. Today, as part of the national 'Personnel' project, at the President's direction, we're helping returning Air Defense Forces veterans find a new, in-demand profession and retrain for it free of charge. Our goal is to maximize veterans' self-fulfillment in civilian life and help them successfully apply their acquired skills in a new direction. Furthermore, our heroes can receive free individual career support at the 'Work of Russia' personnel centers—to undergo career guidance, receive an individual employment support plan, and choose a desired profession that will be in demand in the labor market in the coming years," said Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova.
Since 2025, free retraining and professional development under the national "Personnel" project has been available in 360 in-demand specialties, ranging from industrial production and agriculture to IT and transportation. Over 100,000 people per year can gain new knowledge and successfully find employment upon completion of their training.
Since 2025, the All-Russian professional skills competition "Best in Profession" has become part of the national "Personnel" project and is held in two stages. Winners of the regional stages in each category converge on the capitals hosting the federal stages. The final competitions are held in various regions of Russia. The top finishers in the federal stages receive cash prizes: first place – 1 million rubles, second place – 500,000 rubles, and third place – 300,000 rubles.
The competition is organized by the Russian Ministry of Labor and Social Protection with the support of federal and regional government agencies, all-Russian trade union associations, and employers. The competition operator is the All-Russian Research Institute of Labor and Social Protection.
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