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Everyone can refer to the Internet and easily find there two documents which the Russian government has approved: the directory of professions and the directory of job titles. Being based on the Soviet legacy, these directories don’t fit modern practice. First of all, they don’t describe many up-to-date occupations important for companies. Moreover descriptions of professions and positions given in these directories don’t meet the needs of employers. The Russian government has started a program aimed to replace permanently outdated directories with professional standards for each occupation. Professional standard is a document describing an occupation (e.g., a programmer, a marketing specialist, etc.) and containing requirements for education, knowledge, and professional skills a person must have be able to take up a particular position. In other words, it is about what do employers expect from employees. The author has prepared a draft version of a professional standard for technical writer. The draft describes 5 levels of professional skills and 3 directions of professional career development in the field of technical communication. Russian technical communicators have now a chance to legalize their professional status.

Mikhail Ostrogorskij

Mikhail Ostrogorskij

Mikhail Ostrogorskij is founder and director of PhiloSoft, a Russia-based company that specializes in technical communication. He has been working in technical communication since 1996.