Readiness of agricultural workers to develop new competencies and change the employment model in the conditions of digitalization

The relevance of the research is caused by the expansion of agrarian employment digital transformation. The purpose of the article is to study the readiness of agricultural workers to the digital challenges of modern times and the new model of employment. The article analyzes the expectations of agricultural workers regarding the risks of digitalization, changes in the form of employment and labor functions, change of occupation and place of residence. The critical role of the human factor in the transition to a new employment model caused by digitalization is taken as a hypothesis of the study. Underestimation of labor settings of employees lead to slowing development of agro-industrial complex. The hypothesis was tested when surveying agrarian workers. According to the survey, the level of readiness to change the employment model is more likely to be average. The most “problematic” component was readiness to learn, get a new profession. In order to increase the propensity of agricultural workers to digital employment, it is necessary to improve the system of labor management and economic incentives to develop digital competencies. The results can be used to assess the readiness and opportunity of agricultural workers to work in new conditions, manage changes in employment in the agricultural sector of the Russian economy