Students of technical colleges in Uzbekistan will be able to participate in the Work and Travel program starting from 2026/2027

As part of efforts to increase private sector participation in vocational education and improve overseas employment opportunities, Uzbekistan plans to transfer two or three technical educational institutions in each region to the management of large private enterprises for a period of 15 years. These plans were announced on November 2 at a meeting chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev dedicated to labor migration.

The President noted the growing demand for skilled workers in construction, industry, and logistics both domestically and internationally. However, the existing professional training system does not yet fully meet employer requirements.

To solve this problem, the government intends to more actively involve entrepreneurs in managing technical schools and develop direct cooperation between educational institutions and foreign companies. It is expected that at least 30,000 specialists will be trained annually in the institutions transferred to business management, who can immediately start working after completing the courses and receive state-recognized certificates.

Example of private sector participation in workforce training

As an illustration of private sector involvement in workforce training, Mirziyoyev cited the Tashkent Pipe Plant in the Sergely district of the capital. This company offered to train 2,500 welders, electricians, and mechanics annually using its own experienced specialists.

State support for companies involved in training personnel

The government plans to introduce tax and financial incentives to encourage business participation in vocational education. Companies will be able to reduce their taxable base by deducting expenses related to specialist training and providing equipment for technical schools. A grant system is also provided to encourage organizations for every graduate successfully employed abroad, although the size of the grants and distribution procedures have not yet been determined.

Educational institutions will also interact directly with foreign employers to train specialists according to the requirements of specific vacancies. Mirziyoyev expressed confidence that leading entrepreneurs will help the state form a brand of Uzbek specialists abroad.

Furthermore, the President instructed officials to select 20 technical schools within a month to adapt their educational programs to the needs of foreign employers, starting in 2027. According to information presented at the meeting, large companies from Germany, Japan, and South Korea are interested in having the specialists they need trained directly in Uzbekistan.

Mirziyoyev criticized the current vocational education system, demanding that technical schools achieve more practical results, and that young people acquire in-demand professional skills and foreign language knowledge before graduation.

International recruitment agencies planned for 2027

The meeting also discussed improving conditions for the employment of Uzbek citizens abroad. Presidential press secretary Sherzod Asadov reported that Mirziyoyev emphasized the growing role of large international recruiting companies in connecting employers with qualified specialists. The President ordered the creation of conditions for such companies to operate in Uzbekistan, including permission for independent specialist training and their direct employment abroad. It is expected that two large international recruiting companies will begin operating in the country in 2027.

It was also reported that in 2026, opportunities for the employment of 287,000 Uzbek citizens were identified in 34 countries. Meanwhile, Mirziyoyev pointed to the public's insufficient awareness of available vacancies and problems in cooperation between the Migration Service and representatives of 'mahalla seven'—a local group of community-level officials.

The President stated that this system would also be changed: 'In migration matters, we need quality, not numbers.' He instructed officials to ensure that information about foreign vacancies reaches every mahalla. Every employer's request must contain information about the country where workers are needed, qualification requirements, necessary language skills, and available training opportunities. 'Mahalla seven' will inform residents about vacancies and enter data on individuals interested in working abroad into the Mahalla online platform.

Regional governors and relevant departments will be responsible for organizing professional and linguistic training for candidates and assisting with subsequent employment. Regional governors will conduct progress checks monthly, and district heads twice a month.

Plans to expand private vocational education were previously developed

The involvement of entrepreneurs in vocational education was discussed previously. In June 2026, the President reviewed proposals to expand private vocational training. At that time, plans were announced to increase the number of training and certification centers operating according to international standards from 50 to 200 over three years. It was expected that the annual number of people covered by private vocational education would increase from 45,000 to 500,000.

The proposals included revising over 300 educational programs, improving the qualifications of more than 1,000 teachers and instructors, and allocating 500 billion soms from the Employment Fund. Other proposed support measures for private training centers included preferential loans, partial reimbursement of equipment costs, attracting foreign teachers, and providing free state buildings.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced at a meeting on November 2nd plans to fully transfer the functions of directing citizens to work abroad to the most reliable private employment agencies starting in Uzbekistan in 2027.

According to the president, over the past two years, thanks to the simplification of licensing procedures for private employment agencies, their number has tripled, and the number of citizens who found jobs abroad through such structures has increased fivefold.

Nevertheless, Mirziyoyev emphasized that problems have arisen in this area, including cases of fraud and corruption among citizens. Previously, a special law was adopted to eliminate these shortcomings, regulating the activities of private employment agencies.

According to the stated intentions, by 2027, all functions for employing citizens abroad will be fully delegated to the most reliable private agencies. To encourage their work, a payment of 1.5 million soms is provided for each person successfully employed in a high-paying position.

In addition, private agencies are planned to be provided with free rent of part of technical school premises for professional and language training of citizens. It is also proposed to introduce a social tax rate of 1% for teachers and experts invited from abroad, and equipment necessary for training will be exempted from customs duties.

The activities of these agencies must be conducted within a transparent system that includes a rating system. The main parameters for evaluation will be the actual employment of citizens, ensuring their rights, the level of salary received, and the availability of guaranteed social protection.

The President instructed that a draft resolution detailing the further reform of the work of private employment agencies be submitted within a month. The possibility of recognizing this activity as a social service with subsequent simplification of the tax regime is also being considered.

It has not yet been determined how the powers will be divided between private agencies and the state Migration Agency after the proposed transfer of functions.

In Uzbekistan, the activities of private employment agencies are regulated by a law adopted on October 16, 2018. These organizations are obliged to have the corresponding license to provide employment services abroad.

A new law was adopted in November 2025, which tightened requirements for these agencies and expanded their competencies. In particular, they were allowed to conduct language and professional courses, as well as cooperate with foreign employers.

To increase client protection, additional financial guarantees were introduced: private agencies are now required to place a deposit of 4000 basic calculation units in a special bank account, the funds of which can be used to compensate citizens for damages.

In October 2026, the Migration Agency published the results of the assessment of private employment agencies for the third quarter. Out of 47 inspected organizations, 40 received an unsatisfactory rating, four received a satisfactory rating, and three received a good rating; none reached the 'exemplary' category.

The assessment was carried out based on 11 different indicators, including employment results, contract registration, preparation of citizens for travel, compliance with legal norms, and the number of complaints received.

The rating system has been operating since 2025, but the Migration Agency emphasized that the rating only reflects the results for a specific period and does not serve as confirmation of a license or a guarantee of service quality.

Previously, on October 12, the leadership of the Migration Agency met with representatives of private agencies to discuss citizen complaints regarding delays in service provision, non-fulfillment of contract terms, and difficulties with fund refunds in case of unsuccessful employment. The agency demanded that all contracts and employment data be registered in the Xorijda ish system, that deposit guarantees be provided, and that citizens be adequately prepared for departure.

Starting in 2027, medical residency training in Uzbekistan will become free, and students will receive a monthly allowance of 3 million soms. Additionally, future medics will begin working with patients earlier, and additional financial rewards are provided for medical staff who complete their training.

These changes were announced by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during a meeting with representatives of the pharmaceutical industry and the healthcare sector. Currently, 15 thousand doctors graduate annually from 11 state medical universities, but the head of state noted that not all graduates are ready to immediately engage in full-scale patient care.

Mirziyoyev emphasized that building modern clinics and acquiring advanced equipment is pointless without highly qualified specialists. Therefore, closer integration of medical training with practical activity is planned. Starting next year, students will spend three days a week working with patients, and their final academic year will be spent directly in medical institutions.

The changes will also affect the postgraduate education system. The family medicine residency program will last two years, while the surgery program will last five years. Student training will not be paid, and they will be assigned a monthly stipend of three million soms.

The President also issued an instruction to develop scientific research at the base of medical universities. In the future, it is expected that 80% of medical research will be conducted in these institutions, which already operate under the 'university clinic' model. The main focus will be on improving diagnostic accuracy, increasing treatment effectiveness, and minimizing the probability of complications.

Furthermore, bonuses are provided for medical workers for acquired qualifications. Nurses and paramedics with a bachelor's degree will receive a bonus of 1.5 million soms; master's graduates will receive 2.5 million soms. Specialists in the field of family medicine can expect a bonus of 5.5 million soms.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev stressed the responsibility of medics, stating that unlike specialists in other fields, a future doctor cannot make a mistake because a human life is behind every action they take. He had previously proposed creating a state award for medical workers named after Ibn Sina.