The economic development of the Tyumen region, the digitalization of manufacturing, the new jobs' creation caused the problem of qualified staff shortage. This article reveals the possibility of using students' research activities as a factor in the training of highly qualified specialists in demand on the labour market. To identify the readiness of students to research activities, we interviewed the first and third-year students and teachers. We focused on the lack of activities in junior courses to maintain the interest that encourages them to engage in research. As a result, the number of students engaged in scientific activities falls from course to course, and material values become the main motive. The authors developed proposals for enhancing the research activities of students.