Kazakhstan Begins Updating Personnel Standards for Energy Enterprises

Kazakhstan has initiated the process of updating personnel standards for its energy enterprises. The Kazakhstan Electricity Association, along with the ministries of energy, national economy, labor, and social protection, are revising the staffing norms in the energy sector and assessing the real workforce needs of enterprises, considering production processes and equipment specifics.

The research conducted by specialists from the Republican Research Institute for Labor Protection will help determine how many specialists are needed for equipment maintenance, repairs, and ensuring the reliable operation of the energy infrastructure.

Pilot sites have been selected in Astana, Akmola, and Karaganda regions, as well as in Ekibastuz. Starting October 20, labor protection institute specialists have been conducting time studies at Power Plant 2 of JSC "Astana-Energy." They are recording the duration of production operations, examining workers’ functions, conducting work time studies, and interviewing employees. The analysis covers work on control panels and directly at the equipment. This data will help determine the normative staffing requirements based on actual workload.

When developing these standards, factors such as the scale of the enterprise, equipment composition, type of fuel, automation level, and the length and density of electrical and thermal networks are considered. This should prevent a formal approach and allow for the application of requirements suited to the working conditions of specific sites.

Chairman of the Kazakhstan Electricity Association, Talgat Temirkhanov, points out that the demand for qualified personnel is set to grow as the energy infrastructure develops.

"In his address, the President outlined ambitious tasks for infrastructure development. The year 2027 is declared the Year of Construction, which means that the need for qualified specialists will only increase. For the energy sector, this is particularly relevant: we will be building new and upgrading existing power plants and networks. It is important not only to commission these facilities but also to ensure their ongoing reliable maintenance. Hence, understanding how many specialists the sector will need is crucial today. Developing standard norms will allow us to assess this need based on objective data and plan for the staffing of energy enterprises," emphasized Talgat Temirkhanov.

The pilot sites include Power Plant 1, Power Plant 2, and district heating plants of JSC "Astana-Energy," Karaganda Power Plants 1 and 3, Stepnogorsk Power Plant, and Ekibastuz GRES-1. Participants in the research also include JSC "Astana-REK," JSC "Akmola Distribution Electric Grid Company," and LLP "Karagandy Zharik."

The field phase of the study will continue until early December 2026. The completion of the update to the standards is planned for February 2027. The updated standards will serve as a basis for determining necessary staffing levels and help ensure proper equipment maintenance, quality repairs, and reliable energy supply.

reports Utilities24 with reference to the Ministry of Energy website.

Photo: gov.kz