The paper deals with the improvement of secondary vocational education system. On an example of Sverdlovsk region, the author reveals the key issues of the process of modernization of secondary vocational education. The measures taken by the government to increase the motivation of school graduates to get the profession of a skilled worker, employee or mid-level specialist are considered. The author proposes recommendations for the development of interaction between employers and secondary vocational education institutions to improve the quality of training of skilled workers, employees and mid-level professionals.