Annual ERG Skills Professional Excellence Competition Held in Aktobe Region
The annual ERG Skills competition took place in the Aktobe Region, bringing together young employees from Kazchrome enterprises as well as students from universities and colleges affiliated with the Colleges Alliance and ERG.
Three institutions—the Khromtau Mining and Technical Higher College, the Aktobe College of Industrial Technologies, and the Aktobe Higher Polytechnic College—participated in the highest number of competition disciplines, each hosting up to 11 categories. These colleges provided their advanced workshops and laboratories as venues for young specialists to demonstrate their skills.
“With each passing year, ERG Skills continues to gain momentum, discovering new talent and reinforcing the prestige of skilled trades in our country,” said Nurgul Nurgaliyeva, HR and Culture Director at Kazchrome JSC, during the competition’s opening ceremony. “A shining example of success is the group of trainees from Donskoy GOK who won last year’s competition. Thanks to their refined practical skills, they represented our company with honor on the international stage, taking home awards at a prestigious competition in China. I’m confident that this year we will see new rising stars who will defend their competencies globally.”
And indeed, new stars have emerged in the professional arena. Winners from the Khromtau Mining and Technical Higher College included:
Dmitriy Kunaev – Welding Technology
Danil Drizhak – Electrical Installation
Balғynbek Myrzabek – Industrial Automation
Balausa Äueskhan – Mineral Processing
In the Fitting and Assembly category, the top spot went to Ayat Sailau, a student at the Aktobe College of Transport, Communications, and New Technologies. In CAD Engineering Graphics, Aralbek Zhanisbekov from the Aktobe Higher Polytechnic College claimed first place.
“When I first started college, I didn’t even know how to wire a socket. Today, I’m the winner in my skill category,” shared Dmitriy Kunaev, a second-year student at Khromtau College. “ERG Skills gave me not just a victory, but confidence. I’m now planning to participate in other competitions as well.”
Among the winners were also young professionals from ERG’s enterprises:
Elizaveta Skrypnik – Occupational Safety
Yelaman Marat – Chemical Analysis Laboratory
Marғұlan Umbayev – Mining
Erasyl Kadyrzhanov – Mine Surveying and Geodesy
All four represent Donskoy GOK. In the Turning and Machining category, Zhirenshe Abdrakhmanov from the Aktobe Ferroalloy Plant earned first place.
“We are proud to witness the growing professionalism and craftsmanship of the ERG Skills participants,” said Serik Shakhazhanov, General Director of Eurasian Group LLP, addressing the finalists. “Our company’s experts, who also served as judges, noted the high qualification levels and professional approach many of you demonstrated during the competition. I congratulate all of you on taking this important step in your careers. Your achievements are not just personal victories—they are opportunities. May your experience inspire your colleagues.”
Winners and runners-up received valuable prizes and will be prioritized for employment at ERG enterprises. Additionally, for the first time in ERG Skills history, and on the initiative of Kazchrome’s management, special employment invitation certificates were awarded to students who demonstrated exceptional practical skills. Eight students received such offers to begin their careers at Donskoy GOK.
