Transforming Ecologists’ Practical Training: Strategies for Sustainable Regional Development

Abstract

The article presents the results of a study of the directions of transformation of ecologists’ practical training to ensure sustainable development of the region. The directions of transformation established during the theoretical analysis were tested empirically on the basis of a survey of stakeholders and participants in the educational process: 47 employees of environmental services of Stavropol Krai (Russia); 23 teachers who teach subjects related to future environmental professional activities; 126 full-time students enrolled in higher education programs “Ecology and Environmental Management”, “Environmental Protection and Environmental Safety”. The data is processed in the statistical package SPSS Statistics (version 27). According to the results of a comparative analysis of the opinions of interested parties, there is a need to improve educational conditions and resources, methodological support of environmental educational programs of the University. It needs to take into account the established directions of transformation of future ecologists’ practical training and building up competencies in the preparation of analytical materials on the level of environmental safety of enterprises and organizations in the region; skills of financial and economic justification of environmental projects, the long-term development of the industrial potential of the territory.