Time-tested professionalism

Not every professional competition is capable of maintaining a high level of interest and trust over decades. At AlES JSC, the electric welder competition has remained an important element of professional culture and a true school of mastery for more than a quarter of a century. This year, the competition was held for the 26th time and once again confirmed that traditions here are not formal – they are alive and in demand.

In December, two professional competitions were held at once – among electric welders and gas cutters. While the former has a long history, the latter has been held since 2007, but in terms of the intensity of the competition and the level of preparation of the participants, it is in no way inferior.

The competition was traditionally organized by the Metal and Welding Service of PRP Energoremont. The welding range of the boiler assembly shop and the training classroom of the Service were used to hold the competitions. A mandatory and strict condition was strict compliance with all occupational health and safety, industrial and sanitary safety standards. According to Murat Karimov, director of PRP Energoremont, the main objective of the competition is not only to determine the strongest, but also to support employees, giving them the opportunity to objectively assess their level and areas for professional growth. The competition, he said, serves as a powerful motivator and allows the company to maintain high standards in the skilled trades.

This year, 28 specialists took part in the competition: 14 gas cutters and 13 electric welders. All qualification categories were represented. First, the selection took place in the company’s production departments, after which the best specialists entered the competition.

The prize fund for the competition was a serious incentive for the participants:

• For the 1 st place – 500,000 tenge;
• For the 2 nd place – 400,000 tenge;
• For the 3 rd place – 300,000 tenge.

As noted by Kanat Musakhanov, lead engineer of the Metals and Welding Service, representatives from all departments of AlES JSC gathered in the final, which made the competition particularly competitive.

Production training master Edik Omarov confirmed that the level of training of the participants was high regardless of their rank – everyone confidently performed both welding and gas cutting work. Edik Omarov himself had also participated in similar competitions in the past and made history in the competition by outperforming more highly qualified specialists.

Akim Omarhanov, a 6th grade electric welder, participated in the competition for the fourth time in eight years of working at AlES JSC. Each time he takes to the stage is a new stage in his professional career. While he had previously risen from second to first place, this year’s competition was the most difficult for him, as his mentors were among his competitors. Despite coming in third place, Akim emphasizes that the most important thing is a love for the profession and enjoyment of the work.

The competition entries were checked really carefully. Sergey Chernykh, an ultrasonic flaw detector from the Metals and Welding Service, who has been involved in assessing competition welds for over ten years, carried out visual and measurement checks using special equipment. Each entry underwent a rigorous selection process – only those that met all the requirements were allowed to remain in the competition.

Competition results:

Best gas cutters:

• 1 st place – Baglan Dzunusov, 6th grade boiler room and dust preparation workshop equipment repair mechanic at PRP Eneroremont at CHPP-3;
• 2 nd place – Stanislav Losikov, 5th grade electric welder at AMTS PRP Energoremont;
• 3 rd place – Akim Omarhanov, 6th grade manual electric welder at PRP Energoremont at CHPP-2.

Best electric welders:

• 1 st place – Bolat Narymbayev, electric welder of manual welding of the 6th category of the AMC PRP Energoremont;
• 2 nd place – Ilya Li, electric welder of manual welding of the 6th category of the KSC PRP “Energoremont”;
• 3 rd place – Zairzhan Sadirov, electric welder of manual welding of the 6th category of the Energoremont plant at CHPP-1.

Stanislav Losikov, who has been working at AMC for over ten years, noted that participating in the competition provides a rare opportunity to learn from colleagues and mentors, see professional techniques in action, and continue learning even after many years of work.

Zairzhan Sadirov, an electric welder with more than twenty years of experience, thanked the organizers for the high level of preparation, warm atmosphere and professional jury. According to him, the competition not only motivates, but also energises, confirming the value of his chosen profession.

For participants, such competitions are not just a contest. They are a space for growth, exchange of experience and confirmation of skill. And for AlES JSC, they are an important tool for maintaining and developing professional standards, continuity and respect for the working professions.