St Petersburg University launches a non-degree programme in occupational safety

The non-degree programme "Management of Occupational Health and Safety" is aimed at heads and professionals of management structures. These include committees and departments not only in St Petersburg, but also throughout Russia.

The key feature of the new programme is an integrated approach to various issues in occupational health and safety with an account of: today’s challenges; and working conditions of organisations. The working group that is to develop the concept and curricula of the Graduate School of Occupational Safety at St Petersburg University includes experts in the following fields: economics; mass communications; law; sociology; and management. The working group also includes: representatives of the "Sotsprof" Association of Trade Unions of Russia; experts in accreditation, occupational safety, assessment of working conditions; and other dedicated professionals.

According to Director of the Graduate School of Occupational Safety Ruben Karapetian, Associate Professor in the Department of Economic Sociology at St Petersburg University, our society is in need of such a programme today. The programme will make it possible for current managers of various departments to improve their professional skills in the field of occupational health and safety.

This programme has originated from the demands of the time and partners of the University, who are interested in improving the performance and working conditions of their employees.

Ruben Karapetian, Director of the Graduate School of Occupational Safety, Associate Professor in the Department of Economic Sociology at St Petersburg University

’Now heads of organisations will have access to comprehensive and thoroughly collected information about the required working conditions and the legal aspects of their observance. Moreover, they will be able to immediately apply this knowledge in their own working practice. If necessary, they will be able to transform work processes within their departments so that they could become, on the one hand, comfortable and, on the other hand, safe and gradually improving. In this case, the Graduate School of Occupational Safety at St Petersburg University acts as a unique expert community capable of providing concentrated information that will help students achieve high results,’ said Ruben Karapetian.

The academic advisor of the programme is Olesiia Soloveva, Associate Professor in the Department of Economic Theory and Social Policy at St Petersburg University. According to her, during the six-month training, students will gain comprehensive knowledge of the existing technological, organisational, economic, legal and other limitations and opportunities of the present-day world for safety assurance in their organisation. In addition, students will try out in practice various methods and current practices aimed at overcoming potential limitations using evidence from existing companies and enterprises. Interest in the academic programme of St Petersburg University has already been demonstrated by representatives of regional and federal government authorities.

The 7th St Petersburg International Labour Forum is organised by: the Government of St Petersburg; St Petersburg University; the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of States Members of the Commonwealth of Independent States with the support of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Russia; and the Federal Service for Labour and Employment.

Plenary sessions, meetings, conferences, panel discussions, round tables, master classes and much more will be a traditional part of the event. The International Youth Labour Forum and the "Personnel. Management. Safety" exhibition are planned as satellite events of the Forum.

’It is important to realise that, when it comes to safety at work, we are talking not only about compliance with basic requirements, but also about the implementation of ESG strategies in companies. That implies great attention being paid to environmental and social policy issues, as well as corporate governance within work teams and assessment of potential risks. In addition, today there is a need to train professional managers who are ready to use a personalised approach in working with employees. This is also related to occupational safety in its broad sense. What is most important, we pay great attention to these requests in our curriculum,’ Olesiia Soloveva shared.

At the 7th St Petersburg International Labour Forum, experts from the Graduate School of Occupational Safety at St Petersburg University will give a detailed account of the challenges of the modern labour market. They will also speak about the broad concept of occupational safety, taking into account various economic, technological, communicational, environmental and other aspects. The Forum will take place from 15 to 17 March 2023.