Theoretical foundations of target training in the context of digitalization

The article is devoted to such a form of obtaining education as targeted training, which is designed to ensure the solution of regional industry personnel problems, the flexibility of the education system in relation to the changing needs and demands of society, the possibility of implementing a system of social elevators for young specialists, etc. The purpose of the study is to analyze the regulatory framework for targeted admission and training in higher educational institutions, the state of the problem under study; to determine the mechanism for implementing targeted admission and training. The theoretical basis of the study was formed by the works of E. G. Elina, V. M. Anikin, A. S. Kelsina, L. N. Samoldina, L. V. Firsova, A. A. Fedorov, E. P. Sedykh and others. The research methods were the analysis of the regulatory framework (made it possible to identify the social order for the study, to study the state of the problem); generalization (made it possible to formulate the author’s positions, to present the conceptual apparatus); questionnaires and generalization of practical experience (made it possible to collect and analyze information at the ascertaining stage of the study). The result of the study is an analysis of three identified models of targeted training implemented in Russian universities as of the 2024/25 academic year. The recommendations proposed by the author are addressed to the management of universities, employers, government agencies and developers of educational policy. In conclusion, it is concluded that targeted admission and training are an important part of the education system aimed at training specialists for certain sectors of the economy and the socio-cultural sphere. Like any sphere of activity, it presupposes legal regulation.