AlES: Making a bet on skill, experience and succession
The backbone of the over three-thousand-strong team at Almaty Power Plants is made up of workers – 2,045 people. All of them are energy sector professionals by industry definition, yet each has their own specialization – machine operators, electricians, fitters, welders, boiler room operators, turbine operators, electrical fitters, wagon inspectors, train coordinators, and dozens of other specialties indispensable for power plants.
The need for a huge list of specialists is determined by the unique structure of AlES JSC, consisting of eight production departments. Five of them are power plants that differ from each other in the type of energy generation, and in the type of fuel, and technologically, and in a clearly defined role in the general energy system of the Almaty region. Special tasks and three other departments that provide repairs, railway logistics, heat distribution function.
Personnel – towards the professional growth
Therefore, the emphasis of state policy on the formation of a modern working class, increasing the prestige of working professions became a catalyst in the personnel work that rested mainly on the shoulders of the industries themselves. For example, in JSC AlES, where the qualifications of personnel, due to the specifics of hazardous production, are of great importance, a full-fledged system of training and retraining of personnel has been built. To be more precisely, the cultivation of specialists from the very first stage – from a handyman to a highly qualified engineer.
And if you look now at the structure of the AlES working team, then the continuity of generations and clearly built career elevators are obvious: there are young people – up to 30 years old – 349 specialists, a significant stratum of middle-aged specialists – 1009 employees, and the working elite – specialists of the older generation from 50 years and above – 687 workers.
Moreover, the working qualifications of many of them are based on quality education: out of the total number of workers, 496 people have higher education, 580 – with secondary specialized education and 969 received secondary education. Many of them grew up professionally in production: their stories serve as an example for many power engineers, and their high number confirms the effectiveness of personnel work in the company.
The stories about the work path told by the power engineers themselves are an eloquent confirmation of the relevance of the Year of Workers’ Professions declared by the state and the need to form a modern working class in the country that is ready to work in the era of robotization and artificial intelligence. Because technologies change and become more complicated, but without working hands, without competent specialists, neither grain will turn into bread, nor current will run through the pipes, nor heat will warm the house.
CHPP-1 named after B.Orazbaev. Universities of Medeu
Medeu Serіkuly ZHAІSYLY Қ, leading engineer of the repair service
I never had a childhood dream of becoming an energy worker. In high school, I just wanted to choose a profession where my work will really benefit people. When I entered KazNU for heat energy, I honestly thought that after graduation I would find myself in a warm office.
But in 2018, after graduating, I came to work to CHPP-1 as a driver. Noise, oil, hot pipelines, shifts of 12 hours – at first there was a small shock. Instead of formulas and calculations – a real workshop, steam, units and responsibility. Expectations did not coincide with reality at all, but it turned out that this is even better. Now I work as a leading engineer in the repair service, and I am sure that the years spent in the workshop have become the most valuable university in my life. There were times when I honestly thought: “I won’t pull.” But it was this period that tempered me.
I am still especially proud of the decision that I made in 2022 – to move as an engineer from the turbine shop to the repair service. Many dissuaded: they say, in the repair service, there will be both jobs, and more reports, and the load is higher. And then I came to Rinat-aga (Rinat Kuanyshbekovich Maksutov). He listened to me and said one phrase that decided everything: “If you want to grow – go. It’s hard there, but that’s where you become a real engineer.”
The repair service received me very warmly. The head of the service, Asset Amirbekov, the leading engineer Zarina Berkimbaeva, was introduced and supported into the profession, and especially gave me a lot. Chief Engineer Vladimir Viktorovich Sizov. In the turbine shop, I was supported from the very first steps: deputy. chief of operation Serik Rakhimovich Taldybaev, deputy head of repair Rinat Kuanyshbekovich Maksutov, senior engineer Sergei Petrovich Gopak, shift supervisor Aibolat Askarovich Nurzhigitov. Their advice, patience and strict but fair demands have become a real school for me.
But I do not consider myself any outstanding specialist yet – I just try to do my job in good faith and not let the team down. For me, the main thing is to work so that my colleagues are calm and the city is warm.
In December, our professional holiday is celebrated – Energy Day. For me, this is not just a professional holiday, but a day when you feel especially acutely that heat and light in hundreds of thousands of houses depend on our work.
HPP Cascade. “Not a resort” of Kairat
Kairat Anvarovich TALDYBAEV, Leading Engineer for Equipment Operation Organization
I began my career in the energy sector in 2013 at AlES JSC in CHPP-2, where I worked for about six years as an equipment engineer, as well as in various positions in the capital construction department, in the repair and construction shop. At first it was not easy: a new place of work, new people, a new direction of activity – energy, since he had previously worked in construction. Therefore, a lot had to be learned almost from scratch. But it was experience with competent, versatile specialists.
I began my career in the energy sector in 2013 at AlES JSC in TETs-2, where I worked for about six years as an equipment engineer, as well as in various positions in the capital construction department, in the repair and construction shop. At first it was not easy: a new place of work, new people, a new direction of activity – energy, since he had previously worked in construction. Therefore, a lot had to be learned almost from scratch. But it was experience with competent, versatile specialists.
In 2019, I was transferred to the production department of Cascade Hydroelectric Power Station. He started as a mechanic for the repair of hydromechanical equipment of the 3rd category. Over time, he was appointed lead engineer for organizing the operation of equipment of the equipment operation group of the electric machine shop. There are three groups in the electric machine shop. The main one is the operation group. The second is for the repair of electric power equipment. The third is for the repair of hydromechanical equipment.
When I worked at CHPP-2, like many people thought that the Cascade was like a resort: nature, the air is clean. Of course, the nature here is amazing: for example, on the CHPP-2, above the Kazachka River – amazing beauty, but from the point of view of work – not a resort for sure. More than one kilometer in the mountains with equipment and in any weather you have to pass. Exactly the fact that there is production at the Cascade, the specifics of the work are different. Work here is a big responsibility: both production and environmental. We generate electricity from water that is collected at the BAO, and then transport water to the HPP-11. But this is drinking water that goes to the city.
Having become a power engineer, I became convinced in practice how important and necessary this profession is. And it is very good that in the Year of Working Professions not only started talking about their prestige, but also did a lot for this. The year gave good motivation for young people when choosing a working profession. This is very important, since there is interest and understanding of how much stronger people stand on earth who have made a career, starting from a worker. The working specialty gives a start, brings up character in difficulties.
When a young specialist comes to our company, he has only a diploma and almost no experience. And in Ales there are training programs, grants for those who want to get higher education, there is an opportunity to find additional specialties in our training center or in third-party organizations with which contracts have been concluded. These are universities and colleges.
As for AlES, in my opinion, it was a very fruitful year for the company. For workers, such innovations were introduced as assistance with housing for young specialists, providing free meals for workers.
CHPP-3. The pioneer of the dynasty
Yuri Alexander Yuryevich KHOMOCHKIN, shift supervisor of the electrical workshop
After graduating from high school, I entered the Almaty College of Energy and Instrumentation. In production, I had good mentors. Among them are highly qualified specialists: senior foreman of the electrical workshop Vladimir Alexandrovich Staforov, foreman of the production site Viktor Alexandrovich Fomichev, shift supervisor Nikolai Petrovich Popov, station shift supervisor Viktor Mikhailovich Romanenko.
Working, I did not stop the continuous improvement of my professional knowledge, which I applied in practice, shared knowledge with the staff subordinate to me. Of my achievements, I can note the receipt in 2024 of the title of “Honored Power Engineer of AlES.”
The power engineer is one of the working professions on which the future of the country depends. I think more time and attention needs to be given to blue-collar occupations to attract young people into them. This is especially important given that automation, robotization, artificial intelligence are becoming an integral part of the industry. I am sure that in the energy sector, human intelligence can be combined with the capabilities of a machine to simplify work and improve working conditions.
I am the first power engineer in our family, but I would like my children to continue the dynasty in this area. Having worked continuously for 20 years, I realized that I had chosen a worthy and relevant profession, which is the future.
WTC. Daniyar’s motto
Daniyar CHUKAEV, shift supervisor of the boiler shop
When it came time to choose a profession, I chose energy. Over time, I realized that I made the right choice – today I consider this profession my life’s work. I got a job in August 2020 as a driver of pumping units of the 3rd category. Then I went through several work stages, now I am the shift manager of the workshop. The main role in my professional development was played by mentors: Bakhtiyar Khamitovich Zharmukhamedov, BeibitAlmasBeibituly, Evgeny Vasilievich Komendantskyi, Igor Vladimirovich Kogtev.
Important stages were my first independent duty, participation in the modernization of equipment, and later – the management of small projects and people. Each stage provided a new understanding of the profession and responsibility.
I have already participated in modernization/optimization, introduction of new working methods, training of young specialists. My goal is to continue professional growth, master new technologies and be useful to the company in development projects.
If we talk about the final year of working professions in Kazakhstan, then I consider this decision absolutely timely. The country is in dire need of skilled workers, and it is important to show young people that working professions are prestigious, technological and promising. During this year, indeed, the attention of society and the state to this topic has increased. Most importantly, many young people began to consider technical specialties as a real path.
I also have students – Kainar Dauletkhan and Alibek Sadikov. I work with them on the principle of “do as I do – and ask questions if something is not clear.” I show everything in practice, explain the logic of decisions, teach you to think ahead and assess risks. The most important thing in mentoring is patience, openness and personal example. Young people read not only knowledge, but also attitude to business. In an industry such as energy, transferring experience to the young is a key factor in reliability. Each outgoing specialist must leave behind a trained successor.
Energy is changing rapidly today. In order to keep up, you have to constantly study: I take courses, study new documents, master modern software, follow the implemented solutions in the industry. Moreover, I consider the forecasts about industry 5.0 and “human-machine cooperation” realistic. Automation removes the routine, but complex solutions still remain with the person. Industry 5.0 assumes that man and machine will complement each other: the system collects data, analyzes, and the person makes a decision. In the energy sector, this is expected in the coming years – digital substations, intelligent control systems, predictive analytics. And yes, we are ready: the industry is already entering this stage.
Kapshagai HPP named after Sh.Chokin. Aydar Growth Point
Aydar BEISSENOV, Chief Process Specialist, EMC
I have been working in Ales since 2017. The most difficult thing at the beginning of the journey was to get comfortable in real production conditions and learn how to work with the equipment on which the entire station depends. The work of an electrician is responsibility and constant training. Now, working as a chief technology specialist, I am proud to have passed this path.
The most important stage in my career, I consider the beginning of work as an electrician – it was a real school of practical skills, where character and responsibility are formed. The second key stage is the transition to the engineering and technological direction, which required serious professional growth and additional training from me. And the third stage is the appointment of the chief process specialist.
First of all, mentors and a team helped me to cope with the difficulties of the profession. The topic of generational continuity is indeed relevant for ALEC. The company has built a systematic work on the transfer of knowledge: mentoring, internal training and internships are actively developing.
From this point of view, the Year of Working Professions, I am sure, was a timely and strategically correct initiative. Kazakhstan needs strong production personnel, and the emphasis on working professions allows for the long-term development of energy, industry and infrastructure. The goals of the year were achieved: public attention to labor increased, a new wave of interest among young professionals appeared, and the state strengthened support for training and training. Well, my personal experience shows that the working profession can become a point of growth.
CHPP-2 named after A.Zhakutov. Zhaksylyk. Looking up to my father
Zhaksylyk ADYBAKIEV, shift supervisor of the electrical department
I got a job at the CHPP-2 named after Zhakutov of JSC “AlES” in 2013. As a child, I decided that I would be an energy engineer. Interest in the profession was instilled in me by my father, who himself was an power engineer and helped me with the choice. Therefore, my father is both my first teacher and mentor.
At the beginning of his career, there were no serious difficulties. On the one hand, I was interested, and I was ready for such work, and on the other, I had experienced mentors – shift supervisors Bagdat Saylauvich Moldabayev, Zhannatbek Ayupovich Zhangabylov.
In our company, mentoring is a long tradition. So, now we also have trainees on watch. These are mainly young people after educational institutions. I now have sensible guys in my students – Bakdaulet Erdykhan and Yerasyl Kazynabay. If young specialists quickly gain practice and experience, then it will be easier for us to work with such personnel.
I assess my current indicators and achievements in work positively, while understanding that we cannot stop in our profession – we must study all the time. Robotics, AI, digital money, date centers – all these innovations require a large amount of electricity, and our state, our company must introduce new capacities so that all these technologies develop in Kazakhstan.
On December 22, we traditionally celebrated Energy Day. I have known this holiday since childhood, since my father is an energy engineer. Therefore, for our whole family, and for our team, this is the best holiday.
PRP. Vladimir. The man who can hear machines
Vladimir REGER, Head of Turbine Equipment Repair Section at CHPP-2
I showed interest in the profession of energy in early youth. As a schoolboy, I could spend hours disassembling mechanisms, trying to understand how the nodes work, and why they work that way. I started my journey as an ordinary specialist in the late 1990s. This was a period when the industry was going through difficult times. Then I had to face hard physical work, minimal mechanization and high deterioration of equipment, and at the same time – with a high degree of responsibility. But it was these years and difficulties that reinforced professional pride and became the catalyst for my own development.
In a short time, I went from a locksmith to a foreman, and then to the site manager. Today, it is on our site that the key repair operations of turbine equipment for AlES stations are concentrated.
I learned a lot from my mentors. And today I myself became a mentor. I try to explain complex things in simple words, showing the logic of processes, I teach without excessive rigor. Because the specialist grows up where he is allowed to think. I am glad that we have formed a stable, reliable area where repair processes are built almost mathematically accurately.
There are many complex professions in the energy sector, but working with turbine equipment stands apart. This is an area of high concentration of knowledge, engineering accuracy and human responsibility. We try to listen and hear cars. Such a skill comes with many years of practice to those who really love owl business. And then you can catch what seems to others to be a random sound, feel the nature of the mechanism and understand what the turbine “says” with its hum, its behavior.
Now the energy sector is undergoing dramatic changes: automation is underway, digital monitoring systems and new diagnostic methods are appearing and being introduced. But this is not a threat to our profession, but its perspective. Even if the technique develops rapidly, it is the person who will remain the main one, because no system can replace engineering intuition and experience. Therefore, now we are trying to introduce modern approaches, study new technologies and support the regime of continuous advanced training. This allows us to quickly adapt to new challenges and remain effective, and therefore technological solutions at our site are made quickly and competently.
FRUT. Railway and Iron Will of Kanat
Kanat SHAIZANOV, Chief Engineer
I came to the energy sector in 2000 from the railway industry. By chance or maybe fate decided so, but my whole further life since then is connected with this sphere. I was invited to the profession by the Deputy General Director of the agro-industrial complex Bakhytzhan Mukhambetkalievich Zhaksaliyev. At that time, the company needed a specialist with experience in the structure of the railway in the new department of the FRUT.
When new full-time units were opened in the center – railcar inspectors, train compilers, switch posts on duty – we decided to train our workers in these specialties on the job. We signed an agreement with the Kazakh University of Railways, the teacher came to us and trained our workers. We also needed to bring the technical documentation of shunting diesel locomotives and a railway crane in line with the requirements of the Ministry of Transport and Communications. We achieved this: each unit of rolling stock was registered with the Transport Control Committee. I consider my achievements in the FRUT: the trouble-free operation of railway equipment, the elimination of cases of injuries at work and the absence of penalties from the authorized bodies.
When I started my career, a skilled worker received a salary 2-3 times more than a foreman or engineer. There was a material interest. I think we need to think about how to raise the wages of workers, because they create basic material values.
Therefore, I believe that the initiative of the head of state to declare 2025 the Year of Workers’ Professions was timely. The shortage of qualified working specialties has been felt for a long time, especially after the retirement of labor veterans. After the collapse of the USSR, the former vocational schools were closed, unable to withstand the market economy. The prestige of the working profession fell, as the salary was low and the work was hard.
But it is necessary to attract young people to the profession, the industry cannot be left without an influx of fresh forces. Therefore, the company holds events to attract promising children to the talent pool, they annually undergo training and internships in specialties. I willingly pass on my experience to young specialists, but sometimes I myself learn from young people. For example, my deputy Adilet Melisovich Beisenbayev can replace me at any time. So in a year with a pure soul I can go on a well-deserved rest. I hope I have prepared a competent, responsible specialist for the position of chief engineer.
Alevtina Donskikh, newspaper “Business Kazakhstan,” No.50 2025 December 26, p.14