Tech Orda: How to Get a In-Demand IT Profession and Build a Career

The Tech hosted a live stream dedicated to Tech Orda — a state initiative that helps citizens of Kazakhstan gain access to IT education. In 2026, the program launches its fifth cohort. We explain who can participate, how the selection process works, the grant amount, and the opportunities graduates receive. The application deadline is September 7.

Zhuldyz Zhumadilova, Director of the Astana Hub Program Funding Office

About the Program

The main goal of the Tech Orda program is to develop human capital in Kazakhstan to ensure the market and economy have the IT specialists they need. The program provides access to quality IT education in private IT schools and stimulates and develops the IT education infrastructure in Kazakhstan.

Since the program is funded from the state budget, Astana Hub has two main requirements for candidates: citizenship of the Republic of Kazakhstan and age between 18 and 45 years.

Other requirements are determined by the schools that enroll students in their courses.

However, the Tech Orda lineup includes courses for beginners that do not require prior IT or programming experience or specific education. Anyone can start.

For middle or senior level courses, requirements for work experience and education may be imposed.

The program offers the opportunity to try changing career fields, increase income, or update existing knowledge. Suitable directions can be found on the program's school and course showcase.

How Learning Works and Grant Amounts

Tech Orda provides vouchers and grants worth 400,000 tenge for online and hybrid courses and 500,000 tenge for offline courses.

In some schools, the course cost matches the voucher value. In this case, the student pays nothing and studies for free.

However, there are courses whose cost exceeds the voucher value. In such cases, the student pays the difference between the course cost and the voucher amount themselves.

Participation in the program has already allowed many graduates to change their career field, switch jobs, obtain a new position, or increase their earnings.

Who Tech Orda Is For

The target audience of the program is people who are considering acquiring new knowledge necessary for their work or business, as technology is developing quite rapidly.

If a person needs to master new artificial intelligence tools, data analytics, or simply wants to change their career field and try something new, Tech Orda provides the opportunity to try themselves in IT.

Which Directions Are Currently Most Popular

In 2026, everything related to artificial intelligence takes the first place. The program also includes courses that involve working with AI tools.

Among the in-demand directions, web coding, software development, and data analytics remain popular. Additionally, product management is also in high demand.

Cybersecurity has recently become more in demand. Tech Orda even has a specialized cohort for this direction.

Thus, artificial intelligence, web coding, software development, data analytics, product management, and cybersecurity are among the directions that are in demand this year and for which schools have submitted the most courses.

How Selection Works

The primary requirements for participation are age between 18 and 45 years and citizenship of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Next, each student chooses a school and a course. It is necessary to study the specific requirements of the course on the school showcase, as they may vary.

Depending on the course, the candidate may need to take a test, attend an interview, or simply submit a resume. All selection conditions are published on the website and the school showcase.

Each applicant can apply for up to five courses. After that, a three-stage selection process takes place, during which the school contacts the candidate.

After passing the interview or test, the candidate confirms their status if they are awarded a grant and chooses the most suitable course.

Post-Graduation Support

Astana Hub also works to support graduates and is interested in their employment. For this purpose, job fairs are regularly held in both online and offline formats.

The online format allows helping graduates from different regions of Kazakhstan find jobs. In 2026, offline job fairs will also be held in certain regions. In particular, such an event will take place in Aktau in September.

Additionally, events aimed at helping graduates find employment are held, such as "resume burnings." HR specialists are invited to these events to help participants create professional resumes.

Recently, a new tool has appeared in the program — social coins. Astana Hub residents who hire Tech Orda graduates will be able to receive social coins. This should serve as an additional incentive for companies to hire program graduates.

Astana Hub also plans to work with individual companies and conclude agreements to help graduates with internships and further employment.

Results and Figures

Astana Hub measures the employment rate of graduates twice a year. Currently, this indicator has been maintained at the level of 90% among economically active graduates for several years.

According to an Astana Hub representative, this indicator shows that the courses meet market demands and graduates are in demand.

The program also tracks graduates' salary levels. According to the latest data collected in June 2026, the average salary of graduates is approximately 40-43% higher than the average salary in Kazakhstan.

Astana Hub also tracks employer changes among graduates. Analytics show that many participants have changed their workplace and increased their average income.

Plans

In 2026, the program launches its fifth anniversary cohort. In connection with this, Astana Hub plans to hold a number of events. In particular, a large round table for schools is planned, where they want to discuss with program participants their problems, suggestions, and future development directions.

One of the issues is the situation in the junior specialist market. According to an Astana Hub representative, this market is currently oversaturated, so there may be a need in the future to stimulate more advanced level courses.

At the end of the year, a Tech Orda Battle among schools is also planned. Participants who are studying under the program this year will be able to take part in the event.

The program will continue to be implemented as it shows good results. Every year before launching a new cohort, a market analysis is conducted: specialists study which courses are in demand and which specialists, and at what level, are currently lacking. Based on this, priority directions are formed annually.

In the future, Astana Hub also plans to develop the direction of graduate employment, interact directly with companies, and help schools expand their market. In addition, the organization works with international development institutes for further program development.