Personnel shortage in LPC: figures, challenges and solutions to be presented at the conference within the framework of the "Russian Forestry Forum — 2026"

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    According to Rosstat, the Russian timber industry employs more than 700,000 people, representing 0.9% of all employees in the country. At the same time, the industry's provision with qualified personnel does not exceed 65%.

"The number of jobs at LPC continues to decrease: by the end of the first half of 2026, there were 5.4% fewer jobs than in the first half of 2021. The additional need of enterprises for qualified workers exceeds 70 thousand people. There is a particularly acute shortage of engineering and technical personnel, chemical technologists and specialists in other fields," says Natalia Pinyagina, Honored Worker of the Forest Industry, Professor at the Bauman Moscow State Technical University.

    The share of employees with specialized higher and secondary education in the timber industry is estimated at only 60%. About 12,000 certified specialists graduate annually, while the need for personnel with higher and secondary education exceeds 16,000 people. The situation is aggravated by the low percentage of graduates who remain employed in the forestry sector (no more than 53%), and the high proportion of employees over 50 or of retirement age (35%).

    Experts are confident that in order to solve the problem, it is necessary to consolidate science, education and business, and jointly develop a comprehensive strategy for staffing and educational development of forestry industries. The conference participants will present their proposals on its formation.

    "Formation of a strategy for staffing, scientific and educational development of the branches of the Russian timber industry." It will be held on October 7 at 12:40 in the Engineer Hall as part of the Russian Paper Week 2026 and the Russian Forestry Forum 2026. The conference is co-organized by MF Bauman Moscow State Technical University. The moderators are Evgeny Komarov, Director of the Mytishchi branch, and Natalia Pinyagina, Honored Worker of the Forest Industry, Professor at the Bauman Moscow State Technical University.

    During the conference, the participants will consider the current state of staffing in the LPC industries and the problems of industry education, training opportunities for forestry, specialists in chemical wood processing and for the sawmill and woodworking complex. The industry-specific professional development programs of the Lestech Association will also be presented. The program includes a discussion of advanced training of engineers for CBP, barriers and growth points, the international aspect of personnel policy and ways to solve the personnel shortage.

    The conference will be attended by representatives of Bauman Moscow State Technical University, G. F. Morozov Moscow State Technical University, Kirov St. Petersburg State Technical University, NArFU, HSE SPbGUPTD, industry enterprises and the Lestech Association.

    Based on the results of the presentations and discussions, a final resolution will be prepared with key issues and areas for improving human, educational and scientific support for the forestry sector. After approval by the conference participants, the document will be sent to the relevant ministries and departments.

About the forums

The Russian Paper Week – 2026 and the Russian Forestry Engineering Forum - 2026 will be held under the patronage of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation on October 7-9, 2026 at the Bauman Moscow State Technical University Congress Center (Moscow, Brigadirsky Lane, 13).

Spanish: Glushkova A.N. Phone: +7 (909) 200-95-27 alex.glushkova@comradium.ru

We invite you to take part in the conference and forums of managers and specialists of LPC and CBP enterprises, manufacturers of packaging and paper products, suppliers of equipment and technologies, industry associations, scientific and educational organizations, as well as government authorities.

Participation is free, pre-registration is required on the website: https://rupaperweek.moscow/fortechforum

Spanish: Glushkova A.N. Phone: +7 (909) 200-95-27 alex.glushkova@comradium.ru

Переведено «Яндекс.Переводчиком»

Edited Moderator (Oct. 2, 2026 13:46:36)