Introduction. The article presents the criteria for selecting graduates of vocational educational organisations for priority continuation of studies at universities that implement specialised training programmes for government employees. The expansion of the pool of potential candidates for the civil service by including college students corresponds to the increasing demand for comprehensive qualifications that combine fundamental theoretical training and general competences for career development with deep practical training that distinguishes the best vocational education programmes. The authors used the methodology of ‘reverse design’: the list of criteria is derived from the reference competence profile of a civil servant. 

Aim. The aim of the study was to substantiate the criteria framework for the selection of graduates of vocational educational programmes capable of obtaining qualifications necessary for public service. 

Methods. The methods of analysis of the content of regulatory documents, systematisation of relevant legal information, scientific and methodological sources, modelling of the system of requirements, expert assessment and pairwise comparisons are used. 

Results. The study has compiled and substantiated a list of criteria that is useful not only for selecting college graduates and building their ‘seamless’ educational trajectory, but also for identifying potential candidates for continuing their studies at university and for consistently developing their competences relevant to government employees.

Scientific novelty. A criteria-based approach to the selection of college graduates — potential university applicants — has been substantiated; a  criteria system has been developed, accompanied by  descriptors and recommendations for their assessment, ensuring timely identification and advanced training of young people predisposed and motivated to pursue public service. 

Practical significance. The results of the study can be used by educational organisations to  organise work on  identifying and selecting potential applicants for civil service-related areas of training.

Introduction. This article builds on the findings presented in the previous issue of the journal1. Continuing the discussion on ensuring the continuity between secondary vocational and higher education programmes in the training of civil servants, the authors – following their justification of  selection criteria for the most promising secondary vocational education graduates eligible for further study at universities – present the principles and methodology for organising work with the selected student cohort. This includes a description of the selection stages, participants at each stage and their roles, the specific features of  the educational process design, the applied teaching methods, and students’ curricular and extracurricular activities. Importantly, the concept of “selection” is viewed not as a filtering tool, but as a foundation for students’ personal and professional development. 

The aim of the article is to justify the procedure for selecting graduates of professional educational organisations who are capable of  continuing their studies in  civil service training programmes. 

Methods. The study used methods of analysing the content of regulatory documents, systematising relevant legal information, and scientific and methodological sources. The literature search was conducted in such databases as the Scientific Electronic Library (elibrary.ru), CyberLeninka (cyberleninka.ru), and Google Scholar (scholar.google.ru). The study examined the experience of several projects implemented by federal and regional executive authorities to create a youth talent pool. A project-based approach was used to describe the selection process for the most promising young people with active civic engagement and a motivation to serve the public. 

Results. A procedure for the selection and advanced training of VET students for further university studies and subsequent entry into civil service has been developed, along with recommendations for implementing a candidate support system at the regional level. 

Scientific novelty. The principles of selection and subsequent support of VET students focused on obtaining higher education and subsequent work in government agencies have been substantiated. Organisational and methodological conditions to ensure the timeliness and effectiveness of  the procedure for identifying and advanced training of young people who are predisposed and motivated to serve in government have been identified. 

Practical significance. The materials of this article can be used by vocational education institutions, higher education institutions, professional training providers for civil service, university career centers, and regional executive authorities.