Vocational Training Programme in Astana Transforms Lives of 22 Young Graduates
A group of 22 teenagers and young adults with special educational needs have graduated from a vocational training programme in Astana. The initiative, designed to boost skills and employment prospects, held a ceremony to award state-recognised certificates to its latest participants.
The project has been running since 2024, offering practical training in fields like confectionery, fashion, and 3D design. Organisers say it helps build confidence and social connections for those involved. The training programme was launched by the Bolashak Charity public foundation in 2024. Backed by Astana’s city administration and the Amanat party, it now operates in four cities: Astana, Karaganda, Uralsk, and Atyrau. So far, 133 participants have completed courses since the project began.
For the 2025/2026 academic year, 22 young people took part in the Astana-based scheme. Sessions ran twice a week over five months, with small groups of eight to ten learners. Ten students trained in confectionery, seven in garment production and fashion design, and five in 3D design.
One graduate, Batyrkhan Ulykmanov, a teenager with autism from Kökşetau, moved to Astana to join the pastry programme. His mother, Gulzhaniya Buranova, noted how the experience changed him. He gained new skills, grew more confident, and formed friendships during his time there.
In 2026, private company Orda Invest stepped in as a sponsor. Their funding covered the training of ten participants in the confectionery course, ensuring the programme could expand its reach. The project continues to provide vocational training and social integration for young people with special needs. With 133 graduates to date, the initiative aims to improve employment opportunities while fostering independence. Organisers plan to maintain and grow the programme in the coming years.
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