Credential Templates, The Former USSR and the Russian Federation

Lower Vocational Education in the Russian Federation:
The aim of lower vocational education is to train skilled workers. Students are usually
admitted on the basis of lower secondary education. Vocational training for certain occupations
may require completion of upper secondary education.
The academic year runs from September 1 to the end of June. Instruction is usually 36
hours a week. During industrial practicum, instruction is reduced to seven hours a week.
Programs vary according to the type of institution, the entry level, and the occupation for
which training is provided. They may be offered at the basic (базовый, bazovyj) and advanced
(повышенный, povyshennyj) levels. Generally, advanced-level lower vocational programs
require one more year of study compared to basic level vocational training for that occupation.
The diploma with the title of Qualified Worker may refer to the vocational level, basic or
advanced. Further, each specialization of lower vocational education is also assigned a numeric
category (категория, kategoriya) or level/grade (разряд, razryad). This identifies the level of
vocational skill and pay grade.
In vocational education in the Russian Federation, the type of educational institution and
the entry mode (after lower secondary or upper secondary education) determine the duration and
level of the program. It is, therefore, very important to pay attention to the institution name and
the mode of entry.
Types of Institutions Offering Lower Vocational Education in the Russian Federation
Most lower vocational programs in the Russian Federation are offered by institutions of
the following types:
1.) Professional Technical Uchilishche (PTUs),
2.) Professional Lyceums, and
3.) Secondary Professional Technical Uchilishche (SPTUs).
As evident from their names, PTUs and SPTUs are types of uchilishche (училище). They
are not to be confused, however, with other types of uchilishche. Some other uchilishche are
higher education institutions, while the majority are higher vocational institutions. Examples of
higher education uchilishche include theatrical uchilishche, higher military uchilishche, higher
marine engineering uchilishche (see the chapter on Higher Education). Examples of higher
vocational uchilishche include pedagogical uchilishche, medical uchilishche, musical uchilishche
(see the section on Higher Vocational Education).
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