The Problem of Training Digital and Creative Personnel for the Production Sector of the Economy

Purpose: At present, the Russian economy is faced with objective issue of increasing the success of training highly qualified engineering and technical personnel with digital competencies and creative thinking. This problem is closely connected to the process of choosing a professional path for young people, namely, the development of professional interest of adolescents in professions related to technology and digital technologies. The authors of clause associate the solution of this problem with the possibility of attracting youth to educational robotics classes. Educational robotics has a number of advantages compared to other areas of scientific and technical creativity in problem decision of vocational guidance for students. The content of educational robotics programs involves not only the mastering of one of the relevant digital technologies in demand in modern production, but also the acquisition by students of personal qualities necessary for a modern professional: creativity, technical thinking, design skills and abilities. Design/methodology/approach: In progress of the research activities, the authors used theoretical methods: analysis of theoretical sources and practical experience, synthesis and generalization when formulating conclusions, practical methods: experiment, questioning, quantitative and qualitative processing of results. Findings: Educational robotics has unique opportunities for the development of creative technical mind and digital competencies of adolescents. The program on educational robotics can be implemented both in a general education school at technology lessons, in extracurricular activities, and in the organization of additional education for pupils. Originality/value: The use of exercises on designing robotic objects and solving technical problems in educational robotics classes recreates the required circumstances for the forming of creative technical mind, digital competencies, and the interest in the profession of the younger generation. Classes in educational robotics are considered as a means of vocational guidance for the younger generation.