The relevance of the issues of training highly qualified personnel is beyond doubt. In connection with the globalization of modern society and the transition to digital technologies, the role of knowledge in modern society is increasing. Therefore, the study of the problems and trends in the development and modernization of the personnel training system becomes a priority. An article written by employees of higher education analyzes the experience of the results of transformations in this area. The tendencies of quantitative and qualitative changes in the system of training highly qualified personnel in the last twenty years are considered.