Professional orientations of students as a basis for forming the staffing potential of the Fire Service of Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations

Abstract

Purpose. The paper aims to identify key factors influencing professional choice and educational preferences among cadets of departmental educational institutions of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia and students of civilian universities studying in the fields «Technospheric safety» and «Fire safety», in order to improve the training system for personnel of Federal Fire Service of the State Fire Service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia.

Methods. A sociological study was conducted using a questionnaire method followed by statistical data processing. Factor analysis was employed using the principal component method to reveal hidden interconnections between various aspects of professional choice.

Findings. There are no significant differences in the professional preferences of cadets of higher education institutions of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations and students of civilian higher education institutions studying on educational programmes in the field of technosphere including fire safety; the factors common to cadets of higher education institutions of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations and students of civilian higher education institutions that influence their professional choice and educational trajectories were identified. When choosing an educational organization, students take into account geographical accessibility, reputation, quality of the educational process, and financial attractiveness. Special emphasis is placed on the practical component of education. A contradiction was identified between expressed professional motivation and existing inhibiting factors, among which the most significant one is the level of remuneration.

Application field of research. The obtained results have significant practical potential for the management bodies of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia and educational organizations. The main areas for utilization include: designing modular educational programs with an enhanced practical component; developing a differentiated system of motivation and stimulation of future specialists; creating network models of interaction between territorial units of the Federal Fire Service and specialized university departments; optimizing the system of career guidance activities based on identified motivational profiles.