I. Metshin: «WorldSkills» will give an impetus to improve the professional training standards of our youth”

(KZN.RU, August 8, Zilya Gayfi). Preparation for the International championship “WorldSkills Championship” in 2019 continues in Kazan. The capital of Tatarstan will held the open championship of working professions “WorldSkills Russia” on the competence of the “Service of aviation engineering” and the championship “JuniorSkill” on the competence “Aerospace Engineering” this week. Ivan Kuznetsov, the deputy head of the Executive Committee on Economic Development, spoke about how Kazan is preparing to take the competition and how the construction of the necessary infrastructure is carried, at the Business Monday in the City Hall today. 

The organizing committee, headed by the deputy Prime Minister Olga Golodets, was established to prepare for the International championship “WorldSkills Championship” in 2019. According to Ivan Kuznetsov, holding the final of the V National Cup “Young professionals” of “WorldSkills Russia” in 2017 and preparation of candidates and experts in the national team to participate in the World Championship was discussed at a recent meeting. Ilsur Metshin noted that the preparation of Kazan and Tatarstan specialists is the main task. “It is one thing to organize a championship, and quite another - to prepare the national team, which will certainly include representatives of our city and republic. This is what we have to work on”, said the Mayor. 

Work is already carried out. The agreement on dual training, providing both theoretical and practical training, is concluded between Kazan trade and economic technical school and the Kazan Department of Food and Social Power. The Department agrees on a gratuitous basis to equip the college with two educational laboratories under the agreement. The preparation of a professional team, capable of fully organize the food in school restaurants, is one of the tasks. 

Infrastructure construction is carried out in addition to training for the “Olympiad among those who know how to work with their hands”. “The complex “Kazan-Expo” is being built; it will host the World championship “WorldSkills” and will be the largest exhibition center of the Volga region. Its first stage will be put into operation in December 2016; full construction will be completed in 2017. The total area of the exhibition center will be 49 thousand 950 square meters”, said Ivan Kuznetsov. 

The congress Hall (almost 4 thousand square meters), which can be used for business events and cultural such as concerts, shows, sporting events, will be located in one of the pavilions. Conference rooms for 1800 persons will be on the second floor. A separate area is reserved for temporary tent pavilions, where will be held “WorldSkills” competition. The number of indoor and outdoor exhibition space will depend on the member countries, which must submit an application to the organizing committee. The complex also provides a press centers, administrative offices, business area, workshops, commercial premises, catering area, hotel, medical center, and parking for 698 cars. 

According to Ivan Kuznetsov, the Universiade has become a powerful engine for Kazan urban infrastructure modernization, and the World championship “WorldSkills” should give impetus to development of economic and human capital through the improvement of vocational education. “After visiting Kazan colleges and technical schools, I became convinced that the difficulties are not always caused by a shortage of teaching staff and lack of equipment. The problem is that the learning approaches are obsolete. Educational standards are not adapted to the changes in the economy and new demands of society. Figuratively speaking: in restaurants one must have the ability to cook cheesecake, and our students are taught to cook the layered cake”, said the deputy head of the Executive Committee. 

According to Ivan Kuznetsov, the problem of training qualified personnel needs to be solved with the involvement of the business, which is itself concerned in it. The city already has experience of cooperation with companies and organizations in preparation for the regional championships. Ivan Kuznetsov thanked those companies that have heard the call to participate in this process (bakery factory, commercial network, “Buket Stolitsy” and “Alleya Roz”) and urged others to follow their example.  

Ilsur Metshin noted that the organization of the International championship “WorldSkills Championship” in 2019 is the project of national level, to which the city is preparing very seriously. “For us it is not only new infrastructure projects, which, of course, Kazan needs, but also new opportunities. Each project brings competitiveness of the city to a new level, opens up opportunities for young people, and creates work places. “WorldSkills” will allow us to be, at least, a major regional player in the market of exhibition activities in the future. Expo Center in area of almost 50 thousand square meters near the airport and the necessary infrastructure - this is what we lack. “WorldSkills” will give a powerful impetus to the status and standards improvement of professional training of our youth. Despite invention of new technologies there is always a place for the skillful fingers. And the championship of working professions itself is an unforgettable experience, comparable to any Olympiad and World Cup in excitement and emotions”, said the Mayor. 

Kazan won the right to host the World championship “WorldSkills Championship” in 2015 at the conference “WorldSkills International” in Sao Paulo. Opponents of the capital of Tatarstan were Paris and the Belgian town Charleroi.