Mentoring programm for companies attracting foreign nationals

In accordance with the Resolution of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated February 18, 2017 No. 81 and the Order of the Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated June 18, 2024 No. 197, the Rules for organizing mentoring of Kazakhstani employees were approved and requirements for employers employing foreign specialists were established.

According to these Rules, companies employing foreign workers are obliged to organize mentoring to improve the skills of Kazakh employees. An experienced foreign specialist may act as a mentor, who transfers his knowledge and skills to local employees.

The main points to consider are:

1. Assignment of a mentor:

An employer is obliged to assign a foreign specialist as a mentor for a Kazakhstani employee for a period of 6 to 12 months. The assignment of a mentor must be formalized within 5 working days from the start of his/her employment.

2. Mentoring Plan:

Companies are required to develop and approve an individual mentor’s work plan. This document should contain activities aimed at transferring the knowledge and skills that caused the recruitment of the foreign specialist. The implementation of the plan should be under the control of the employer.

3. Mentor’s report:

Within three working days before the end of the mentoring period, the foreign specialist must prepare a report on the work performed. It should include the results of the training, as well as the knowledge and skills acquired by the Kazakhstani employee.

4. The employer’s obligations:

The employer must provide the necessary conditions for the transfer of experience, as well as monitor the quality and effectiveness of mentoring. It is important that the knowledge gained can be applied and transferred to other employees of the organization.

5. Number of employees to be mentored:

The number of employees for whom one mentor is responsible should be determined based on his/her workload to ensure quality transfer of knowledge and skills.

Q&A:

1.For which job categories should a mentoring plan be implemented?

For categories 1, 2, 3 and 4. By standard authorization procedure and by intra-company transfer. Exception: seasonal foreign workers.

2.What documentation will be used to support the work done?

There are two documents, 1. The mentor’s work plan (see below) 2. A free-form report on the implementation of the plan. Also, an order appointing a mentor may be required.

3.At what point will we need to provide mentoring information? What if we don’t?

We anticipate that a progress report will need to be provided at the time of work authorization, as well as renewal of current documents. Otherwise, the work permit will not be issued / renewed.

Samples of a mentor work plan