The National Association of Builders (NOSTROY) is set to expand its workforce on Russian construction sites by attracting qualified specialists from India. This initiative, as outlined by Anton Glushkov, President of NOSTROY, aims to enhance the quality and expertise of the labor force in the Russian construction industry. Speaking at the XI International Construction Forum and Exhibition 100+ TechnoBuild, Glushkov remarked, “We are actively working on developing partnerships with India, a country that offers immense potential in the skilled labor market. We are not interested in merely increasing numbers with general laborers, but rather focusing on professionals with verified qualifications.” This comes as part of a broader project where the qualifications of foreign workers, particularly from India and Uzbekistan, are certified by Russian authorities. Under the scheme, workers enter the industry with verified diplomas, ensuring they meet the required standards for Russian construction projects.

NOSTROY also plans to act as a guarantor for foreign workers, overseeing crucial aspects such as housing, transportation, and ensuring timely payments. In return, foreign institutions will be responsible for maintaining the quality of training provided to their workers. At present, nearly 80% of the foreign workforce on Russian construction sites consists of unqualified laborers. NOSTROY’s goal is to significantly reduce this figure, limiting the use of unqualified workers to no more than 20% of the total workforce. This shift aims to address the ongoing labor shortage in Russia’s construction sector, which currently lacks 200,000 workers, according to Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin.

In response to this shortage, Russia is also investing in the establishment of training centers for the education and retraining of construction professionals. These efforts reflect the country’s long-term strategy to build a more skilled workforce, ensuring the successful completion of large-scale infrastructure projects. The XI International Construction Forum and Exhibition 100+ TechnoBuild, hosted at the Ekaterinburg-EXPO, is a key industry event featuring over 600 companies and 1,000 speakers across more than 200 sections. The event is co-organized by the Ministry of Construction and Housing and Public Utilities of the Russian Federation.