Involvement of Minor Students of Secondary Vocational Education for Work Outside of School Hours and During Vacations (from the Experience of a Metallurgical Enterprise)

This article examines the pressing issue of personnel shortage in the industrial sector of the Russian Federation, in particular, at metallurgical enterprises. The authors analyze one of the effective tools for overcoming it — the practice of early employment of minor students of the secondary vocational education system (SVE) within the framework of extracurricular and vacation activities. Based on the empirical experience of Uralelectromed JSC (Verkhnyaya Pyshma), the mechanism for implementing the Early Employment project, aimed at attracting 16-17 year old students to work in auxiliary positions, is described in detail. Particular attention is paid to the legal aspects of employment of minors in accordance with the Labor Code of the Russian Federation, organizational conditions (special training schedule, shortened working hours) and the role of mentoring, including the involvement of highly qualified retirees of the enterprise. The methodological basis of the study was the analysis of statistical data, the results of sociological surveys of young people in the Urals and Siberia, as well as a questionnaire survey of the pilot project participants (n = 35). The article systematizes the advantages of the proposed model for three key stakeholders: for students (gaining practical experience, financial independence, developing professional competencies and adapting to the team), for the employer (formation of a personnel reserve, flexibility of labor resources, improving the corporate image) and for educational institutions of secondary vocational education (strengthening partnerships with production, increasing the competitiveness and practice-oriented nature of educational programs). In conclusion, the authors come to the conclusion about the mutually beneficial nature of such projects, while identifying potential risks associated with labor protection, psychological adaptation and academic performance of students. Emphasis is placed on the need for strict compliance with labor legislation and the creation of safe working conditions to minimize these risks and ensure the sustainability and replicability of the model.