Demand for drone pilots to surge in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan’s transportation and logistics industry is set to create 25 entirely new professions related to Building Information Modeling (BIM) technologies and aviation, according to Minister of Transport Marat Karabayev.

Speaking at a government meeting dedicated to the Year of Working Professions in Kazakhstan, Karabayev highlighted the growing use of BIM technologies, such as digital project models and 3D modeling, in the construction and reconstruction of highways.

«This sector will require professionals such as design engineers for smart roads, foremen with BIM skills, construction robot operators and digital designers. Additionally, designers and operators for digital logistics maps will be needed to manage large transportation and logistics hubs,» the minister explained.

In civil aviation, the demand for pilots of remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) is expected to increase as well.

«The development of these specializations will be carried out in collaboration with educational institutions,» Karabayev concluded. «Currently, out of the 9.7 million employed people in Kazakhstan, 772,000 work in the transportation sector, with the majority employed in railway and road transport, logistics and warehousing.»

In late December 2024, Karabayev revealed the ministry’s plan for the development of transport infrastructure in Kazakhstan, which was severely criticized by MP Sergei Ponomarev. He accused the minister of excessive optimism and being out of touch with reality. Ponomarev pointed out that, over the past 10 years, only one road project had been completed ahead of schedule in the country. That project was executed by foreign investors, who, according to him, work faster, more cost-effectively and with higher quality.