The judges of the competition finals grade a contestant. [Photo/Baotou news network]

The 2024 BRICS Skills Competition's international finals for track vehicle technology kicked off on Nov 21 in Baotou, marking a significant moment for vocational education.

The competition, part of a broader BRICS initiative, features two major regions: Russia as the main competition area and China as the sub-region. Baotou Railway Vocational and Technical College, the host institution, is the Chinese executing partner for the finals.

Forty-six teams from China and eight international teams will battle it out in a final showdown, each demonstrating their proficiency in rail vehicle technology. The events focus on mechanical, electrical, auxiliary, and control systems in rail vehicles, testing participants on their ability to design, assemble, maintain, debug, and troubleshoot complex systems such as pantographs, passenger car doors, and electric control systems.

The teams of the competition. [Photo/Baotou news network]

Zhang Haifeng, vice-president of Baotou Railway Vocational and Technical College, emphasized the role of vocational education in economic and social development, noting that it's a crucial pathway to nurturing high-quality technical talent. "We encourage students to participate in competitions to enhance their problem-solving and innovation skills, ultimately boosting their employability," Zhang said.

The college has garnered 34 national-level awards and over 200 regional awards in recent years.

In 2023, Baotou issued the "Measures for Promoting High-Quality Development of Modern Vocational Education", in line with local efforts to advance vocational education. This initiative aims to build a modern vocational education system, enhance the sector's role in economic development, and foster stronger cooperation between schools and enterprises, all while improving the vitality of vocational institutions.