New 'Second Start' Category Opens for Veterans in 2026 Skills Contest
Applications are now open for the regional stage of the "Best in Profession" competition, part of the federal "Worker of the Nation" project under the national "Human Resources" initiative.
A new category has been introduced for participants in the special military operation (SMO) in the 2026 "Best in Profession" competition. Applications will be accepted until June 10, 2026, via the "Work in Russia" platform.
"We are now accepting applications for the regional stage of the 'Best in Profession' competition under the federal 'Worker of the Nation' national project. In 2026, a unique category called 'Second Start' has been created exclusively for veterans of the special military operation. This is an opportunity for SMO veterans to showcase their skills, launch a new career, or return to their previous profession with support and recognition," noted Natalya Khudzhina, acting deputy minister of labor and social development of Krasnodar Territory.
The special category is open to SMO veterans working across a wide range of professions and specialties who have acquired new professional skills during or before the competition—without requiring formal retraining certification.
Winners will receive valuable prizes: first place—1 million rubles, second place—500,000 rubles, and third place—300,000 rubles, according to the press service of the Krasnodar Territory administration.
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