A particular feature of modernity is the growing need to improve the quality of the results of labor in all spheres of production activity. Professional competence of a specialist, including professional knowledge and skills acquired in the process of all production activities, starting from the period of study at the university, determines the achievement of high professional goals. An internal resource is the intense need-motivational tone of a specialist. The results of a randomized, comparative study of the structure of motivation of doctors for professional activity and the structure of motivation for vocational training of students at a medical college revealed a difference in the motivational profile.