The article examines the problems and prospects of human capital development associated with the change of technological structure. Increased economic competition leads to a widespread increase in the requirements for the qualification of the labor force, while reducing the demand for labor. Employees with different competencies and a balance of "soft" and "hard" skills are becoming in demand than in the industrial economy. Uncertainty in the choice of professional development paths in these circumstances hinders the formation of human capital, which is typical for both developed and developing countries. Russia is no exception. The lack of coordinated positions of participants in social and labor relations on issues of professional standardization, organization of vocational education and training adds to the complexity. The emerging problems are determined both by objective processes (passing the stage of an innovative leap), and by formal and organizational grounds due to the peculiarities of the functioning of the sphere of professional education. The authors analyze possible ways out of the current crisis situation. In particular, initiatives related to the development of non-formal education are being studied, including talent development ecosystems and qualification reference platforms, corporate universities, some local solutions and practices.