Final of 7th National Competition “Young Professionals” (WorldSkills Russia) wraps up

Today, the closing ceremony of the final of the 7th National Competition “Young Professionals” (WorldSkills Russia) and award ceremony took place at the Tatneft Arena Ice Palace. 1,500 Competitors, more than 1,200 Experts, guests from 85 Russian regions and 26 countries attended the event.

The closing ceremony started with the bright performance, choreographic prologue “Win” involving dance groups “Mgnoveniye”, “Sharm”, “Doroga iz goroda”, “Izumrudny gorod”, duet “Extreme”. Then the WorldSkills Ambassadors gave a welcoming speech in a video message. 

Minister of Education of the Russian Federation (Deputy Chairman of the Organizing Committee) Olga Vasilyeva and President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov came out to the stage to give a welcoming speech, and award the winners and prize holders of the final of the 7th National Competition “Young Professionals” (WorldSkills Russia). According to Olga Vasilyeva, Russia joined the WorldSkills movement only 7 years ago.  

“Our country has overcome such a great way for these 7 years. I am sure that no existing country has ever done it. I would like to address to our masters, coaches, and those who have established the WorldSkills movement in secondary professional education in Russia. For this, tremendous credit goes to you! All of you sitting here have your teachers behind. Participation in the final of the National Competition is a great victory! I would like to express my gratitude to all Competitors, congratulate all winners and prize holders. Thanks, dear teachers, heads of regions, Ministry of Education and Government of the Republic of Tatarstan. We would not be able to come here without them”, noted Vasilyeva.

“The competition is over. The best of the best Competitors from Russia have gathered here. I congratulate everyone and wish you great success. We are proud of you. We are waiting for you in August at the WorldSkills Competition!” Rustam Minnikhanov said.

The Minister of Education of the Russian Federation and President of Tatarstan awarded winners in the following Skills: Primary School Teacher, Primary School Teacher (Juniors), Pre-School Education, and Pre-School Education (Juniors)”.

At the end of the award ceremony, Olga Vasilyeva and Rustam Minnikhanov launched the final leg of the WorldSkills Flag Relay. It will be held in all regions of the Republic of Tatarstan. The WorldSkills Flag has already managed to go round the whole world and has been to space. On 15 May, the Russian leg of the Flag Relay finished in Saint Petersburg. Now, the flag is in Kazan. The start of the final Tatarstan leg of the WorldSkills Flag Relay has been announced in front of the crowd of thousands of competitors at the final of the 7th National Competition “Young Professionals” (WorldSkills Russia). Tomorrow, in the city of Nizhnekamsk, the flag will begin its journey across Tatarstan and return to Kazan in August to the opening ceremony of the WorldSkills Kazan 2019.

Then, WorldSkills International Chief Executive Officer David Hoey and Director General of “Young Professionals” (WorldSkills Russia) Union Robert Urazov greeted all the participants of the final of the 7th National Competition “Young Professionals” (WorldSkills Russia).

David Hoey congratulated Kazan and the President of the Republic of Tatarstan on such an excellent world-class venue as the Kazan Expo International Exhibition Centre, and WorldSkills Russia on a successful implementation of the National Competition “Young Professionals”: the entire world will keep track of developments in Kazan, in Russia, in August. In 90 days, the WorldSkills Competition will kick off. We are looking forward to meeting you in Kazan!”

Many of the winners of the National Competition will represent Russia at the WorldSkills Kazan 2019 Competition. This is a great achievement. “You are the winners already! You have chosen this path and follow it with confidence. Congratulate you and express my respect to you. You have been selected for participation in the Competition. You are among the best of the country. Go ahead and keep studying and training. Skills change life”, underlined David Hoey.

Robert Urazov thanked the Ministry of Education and Olga Vasilyeva, Rustam Minnikhanov, and WorldSkills International for the festival of professional excellence: “The main heroes of this festival are experts and competitors. Thanks to experts for objective judging. The Competition went like clockwork.

Only the best of the best will come out to this stage. Thanks to competitors and winners. Even if you have not won, this is a wonderful experience giving you a chance to develop your skills and become real champions”, Urazov added.

After a welcoming speech, Robert Urazov and David Hoey awarded the winners in “Creative Arts and Fashion” sector.

Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan Leyla Fazleeva and Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin awarded the winners in “Information and Communication Technology” sector.

Deputy Governor of Kemerovo Oblast responsible for education and science issues Elena Pakhomova and Minister of Transport and Roads of the Republic of Tatarstan Lenar Safin awarded the winners in “Transportation and Logistics” sector.

Medals to the winners in “Manufacturing and Engineering Technology” sector were handed out by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan – Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Tatarstan – Rafis Burganov, WorldSkills Kazan 2019 Project Executive Emil Gubaydullin, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan – Minister of Industry and Trade Albert Karimov, and Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Protection – Elmira Zaripova.

Winners in “Construction and Building Technology” sector were awarded by the First Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Nigmatullin, State Duma Member and Member of the State Duma Committee on Labor and Social Policy Olga Pavlova, Minister of Construction, Architecture, and Housing and Public Utilities, Chief Architect of the Republic of Tatarstan Irek Fayzullin, and Head of the Republican Agency on Press and Mass Communications “Tatmedia” Ayrat Zaripov.  

Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan – Minister of Agriculture and Food – Marat Akhmetov, Chairman of the State Committee of the Republic of Tatarstan for Tourism Sergey Ivanov, Deputy Director General of the “Young Professionals” (WorldSkills Russia) Union Alexey Tymchikov, Executive Director of Culture Development Support Foundation under the President of the Republic of Tatarstan Nuriya Khashimova awarded the winners in “Social and Personal Services” sector.

In conclusion, the Director of the “Young Professionals” (WorldSkills Russia) Union Robert Urazov awarded the team scoring winners with the cup – top honour.  

Press Office of WorldSkills Kazan 2019 Competition Organizer