ARMZSkills-2017, the First Qualifying Divisional Professional Skills Competition, Held at PJSC PIMCU

The competition was attended by the blue-collar representatives of three enterprises of the mining division of Rosatom State Corporation: PJSC PIMCU, JSC Khiagda and JSC Dalur. Previously, all 26 contestants had been trained strictly and selected at their respective enterprises.

Three special sites were arranged at PIMCU for ARMZSkills-2017 to determine the best experts by the competencies “Welding Technology”, “Laboratory Chemical Analysis” and “Radiation Protection Supervisor”. At the opening ceremony, Stanislav Anikeev, HR Director of JSC Atomredmetzoloto, addressed the contestants with a welcoming speech as follows: “Our main goal is to increase the prestige of blue-collar jobs and develop professional training by combining the best practices and standards”. Sergey Shurygin, Director General of PJSC PIMCU, added that ARMZSkills provided an opportunity for implementing the personal potential of each contestant.

Six workplaces were equipped at the Repair and Engineering Works for the competition of welders. The participants had to perform three competition tasks in two days. In addition to knowledge of various methods of welding and testing weld joints, the contestants demonstrated the ability to read and understand drawings and specifications, adjust welding equipment, select the welding method required, set and adjust the process variables. According to Nikolai Vasilyev, an electric welder of JSC Khiagda, he had no particular difficulties in completing the competition modules: “I participate in such a competition for the first time and I’m curious to test myself and to see how others work. I did the first part of the task, which was argon welding on stainless steel, quite quickly. I have already done such work, so my experience helped. I guess that the main thing is to believe in yourself and to take your time”.

The best radiation protection supervisor was determined at the Radiation Safety Laboratory and the Separate Militarized Mountain Rescue Unit. The contestants passed four tests. The first one included theoretical tasks and challenges. In the practical part, it was necessary to identify fragments of scrap metal suitable for use in economic activities, find ionizing radiation sources determining all parameters thereof and conduct a workplace survey with the calculation of the annual effective dose. The contestants showed knowledge of devices, measuring instruments, regulations and formulas.

Laboratory assistants for chemical analysis competed in the Central Research Laboratory. They determined the hardness of water, calibrated the glassware, prepared the solution and determined its concentration.

Vladimir Verkhovtsev, Director General of ARMZ Uranium Holding Co., said at the solemn competition closing ceremony held in the Dauria Recreation Centre of PJSC PIMCU: “It is clear that the first ARMZSkills contest will become traditional, as its launch was successful. ARMZSkills is not only the transfer of experience to the younger generation, but also a key to our confidence in the future”.

Vladimir Verkhovtsev, Victor Svyatetskiy, First Deputy Director General – Chief Operating Officer of JSC Atomredmetzoloto and Sergey Shurygin, Director General of PJSC PIMCU, awarded cups, diplomas and valuable gifts to the winners.

Alexandra Zubatenko (PJSC PIMCU) was the first, Anna Dneprovskaya (JSC Khiagda) was the second and Natalia Kurashova (JSC Dalur) was the third among the best in the “Laboratory Chemical Analysis” competence. Vasily Dynenkov (PJSC PIMCU), Yuri Pushkarev (JSC Khiagda) and Andrey Zyryanov (PJSC PIMCU), respectively, formed the podium in the “Welding Technology” competence. Alexander Vdovin (JSC Dalur) was the best, Kristina Petrenko (PJSC PIMCU) came second and Svetlana Suvorova (PJSC PIMCU) gained the third place in the “Radiation Protection Supervisor” competence. The Cup for team victory was deservedly awarded to the PIMCU team.

Alexandra Zubatenko noted after the awarding ceremony: “Of course, the competition is a battle above all, but I would like to state that we are not competitors here, rather representatives of the single division and parts of the Rosatom team”.

The winners will join the team of the AtomSkills-2017 industry championship to be held in Yekaterinburg.