Russia program trains young women from Global South
TATARSTAN, RUSSIA — In a world where globalization is reshaping the job market, traditional higher education is no longer the sole ticket to career success.
Large companies are stepping up to train young professionals directly on the job, creating opportunities for ambitious youths from across the globe.
One such initiative is the Alabuga Start Programme, launched in 2022 within Russia’s special economic zone “Alabuga.” The program specifically targets girls aged 18 to 22 from Africa, Latin America, and Asia, providing them with a unique opportunity to gain practical experience and advance their careers in a foreign country.
Learning by earning
Eyerusalem Worku, a young woman from Ethiopia, is one of the many participants who have found new beginnings through Alabuga Start.
“I wanted to go abroad, discover more opportunities, learn a new culture, language and everything. By the time I was looking for opportunities, Alabuga Start was on my hand, so I decided to discover it more,” she recalls.
Arriving in Russia in 2023, Eyerusalem began her career in the catering field as a kitchen worker, earning $500 a month. Over the past 1.5 years, she advanced to the position of barista with a salary exceeding $1,200 and is soon set to become an administrator.
“It was hard for me to be able to work in one team with people. And I have overcome that fear thanks to participating in Alabuga Start programme,” she says.
Family concerns and community support
For many families, sending a daughter abroad raises concerns about safety and cultural adjustment. Eyerusalem admits, “It was somehow difficult for my parents to accept it… So, yes, it was hard for them in the beginning, then they started accepting it, then they became supportive.”
Alabuga Start addresses these worries by providing HR support throughout the application and employment process. Upon arrival, participants study Russian, immerse themselves in local culture, and live in secure corporate hostels with peers from various countries. “We communicate in Russian—it has become a common language that unites us,” Eyerusalem says.
Breaking the degree barrier
The program offers roles in seven fields, including catering, logistics, and production. Over the course of two years, participants become highly qualified specialists, ready to pursue careers in Russia or return home to start their own ventures.
Eyerusalem’s younger sister, Mahlet, has also joined the program.
“After seeing my sister’s achievements, my parents no longer doubted my choice,” Mahlet notes.
As globalization continues to blur borders, programs like Alabuga Start are empowering the next generation to shape their own destinies, one opportunity at a time.
