The military-industrial sector, including the army, is seeking to attract more young technicians and specialists, especially in drone piloting. Drone piloting training schools for children, youth, and adults are beginning to multiply in the country, encouraging students to turn more towards technical education.
Approaching his 14th birthday, closely watched by his father, Artëm sits on a folding chair, his eyes shifting between a tablet, several controllers, and the sky swept by gusts of strong wind. It’s easy to guess what he’s observing before being asked to look up: the light but piercing sound of a drone flying above the heads. Despite the prohibition on photographing it among the crowd at the annual patriotic festival at an airfield in the countryside, half an hour’s drive from Lipetsk, Artëm is already a local sensation: he is the drone flying champion of his region and highly ranked in national championships.
“At nearly 14, my father showed me a video on the Internet where a pilot assembled drones and flew them, and asked me if I was interested. I loved it, so I started,” he says. His interest has nothing to do with military confrontations. Artëm enjoys the fact that drone flying allows him to admire beautiful landscapes, and he sees it as a potential future career, especially in competitions. He acknowledges that career paths can change, but drones can be used for irrigation, photography, and even making money.
The widespread use of drones in the civilian sector and the career opportunities associated with them are topics widely discussed by numerous local small businesses developing drones, as seen in the festival.
While the festival is free for the public, it’s organized by the regional veterans’ association, with many attendees, particularly those with family ties to soldiers fighting in Ukraine.
Some reports have raised concerns about potential pressure tactics in certain universities to encourage students to sign up for drone pilot training programs, but the Ministry of Defense officially denied the recruitment of students through coercion.
In Novosibirsk, an incident involving a university professor criticizing students’ lack of enthusiasm to engage stirred controversy. Other reports mention the growing number of local drone schools opening in various regions, with some instructors teaching children as young as 9 years old.
In parallel, there has been a push to steer students towards technical education rather than general education, causing mixed reactions. Critics argue that the quality of technical education has declined over the years, leading to concerns about the rapid completion of technical studies and the quick transition to military service for young graduates.
The article also touches on the growing presence of military veterans in political circles and the potential impact they could have on the country’s future, especially on the youth.
(Source: RFi)
