Samruk-Kazyna JSC summed up the results of the first HR Brand 2025 competition among the Group’s companies. The aim of the competition is to identify and disseminate advanced, sustainable HR practices in companies within the Fund’s perimeter.

The competition is held during a landmark period for the country - the Year of Vocational Professions in Kazakhstan - initiatives to support the development of applied skills, industrial competencies and respect for work. This is especially relevant in the context of the tasks set by President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, where priority is given to the development of human capital, quality education, strengthening the institution of labor and involving youth in the economy of the future.

9 companies participated in the 2025 competitive selection, submitting 25 applications in five nominations. All case studies were based on real achievements in areas such as recruitment and development, digitalization of HR processes, talent management and employee engagement.

As Nurlan Zhakupov, Chairman of the Management Board of Samruk-Kazyna JSC, noted, the competition is being held for the first time, and already at the start it showed a high level of engagement and maturity of HR approaches within the group. According to him, this confirms the sustainability of the chosen vector for investments in human capital as a key development strategy.

According to the results of the expert evaluation, the winners of the competition were:

• Master of Staff Recruitment - JSC NC Kazakhstan Temir Zholy;
• Architect of Talents - Samruk-Energy JSC;
• HR Breakthrough of the Year - JSC NAC Kazatomprom;
• Driver of Employee Engagement - Kazpost JSC;
• Leader of HR digitalization - KEGOC JSC.

In the presented cases, the participating companies demonstrated not just local initiatives, but systemic HR solutions that meet modern challenges and values, including inclusivity, digitalization, and social responsibility. It is based on a sustainable approach to the formation of a working environment, with a man of work at the center.

Professional development of employees in the manufacturing sector remains one of the priorities in the Fund’s group. Only in H1 2025, more than 12,000 representatives of working professions were trained, including the winners and prize-winners of the prestigious Atomskills International Championship. This confirms the effectiveness of long-term investments in human capital.

The Fund noted that the competition would become an annual platform for the development of HR practices, bringing together experts and leaders of reforms in labor relations. It will become an important tool for promoting a people-oriented management culture and supporting the country’s course toward a socially just society where labor, knowledge, and initiative are valued.

The winning cases are posted on the website: www.qsamruk.kz .
 

For information:

The Year of Vocational Professions: What has Samruk-Kazyna done?

Salary increases for workers

Salaries have been increased for more than 200 000 employees, with a particular focus on vocational professions.
Housing and living conditions

Systematic work has begun on providing housing and improving living infrastructure for workers.

Educational projects

The leading companies of the group implement dual training programs in collaboration with Nazarbayev University, KIMEP, KBTU, Satpayev University, and regional colleges.
Over 5 000 students have completed training with work experience in the enterprises of the Fund.

Social support for the youth

Corporate social responsibility initiatives are implemented:

• Talimger — employment of orphans and graduates of orphanages from 17 regions.
• Samruk Úmiti — career guidance and socialization of orphans.

Recruitment processes have been simplified and digitized: the QSamruk.kz platform has been introduced, and paper-based procedures have been completely eliminated.
Vacancies are open to everyone, including people with disabilities.

Gender equality

The Fund continues to implement the tasks set by the Head of State to achieve gender balance by 2030, the proportion of women in company management should reach at least 30%.