Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –
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On December 2, the State Kremlin Palace hosted a gala awards ceremony for the winners and runners-up in 20 categories of the All-Russian professional skills competition "Best in Profession."
The best in blue-collar professions were awarded by Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova, Deputy Chairperson of the Federation Council Inna Svyatenko, Minister of Labor and Social Protection Anton Kotyakov, Minister of Agriculture Oksana Lut, Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov, Minister of Construction and Housing and Public Utilities Irek Fayzullin, Chairman of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Russia Sergey Chernogaev, and Deputy Chairperson of the State Duma Anna Kuznetsova.
Awards were presented to the winners and runners-up in 20 categories. Among them was the special category "Second Start," introduced for the first time this year. It is intended for those who have retrained for a new professional profession and achieved success in it. Tatyana Golikova read a congratulatory message from the President of Russia to the competition winners.
The Deputy Prime Minister also presented awards to the best workers in the Welder and Seamstress categories. Ilya Ryuppiyev from the Republic of Karelia won the Welder category, and Nadezhda Stepanova from the Nizhny Novgorod Region won the Seamstress category.
"For the first time, we are awarding our winners here in the center of Moscow, in the heart of our homeland, at the Kremlin Palace. At the direction of the President, the 'Best in Profession' competition has become an integral part of the 'Personnel' national project in 2025. The competition has a long history, having launched in 2012. The government, trade unions, employers, and regional authorities have done and continue to do everything possible to honor working people. Participants from 79 regions submitted 200,000 applications this year. We not only have a broad geographic reach, but also a broad age range – from 19 to 62 years old. You make our leadership in technological sovereignty and independence possible. Just a few days ago, we will complete a seven-year forecast of economic labor needs. And the most in-demand professions in this forecast are the professions of the winners, who will now take the stage to accept their awards," noted Tatyana Golikova.
From the stage of the State Kremlin Palace, the winners and runners-up of the "Best in Profession" competition were congratulated by three-time Olympic champion and member of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs Alexander Karelin, Russian TV presenter Maria Sittel, and Hero of Russia and cosmonaut Elena Serova.
"Raising the prestige of blue-collar jobs is a crucial task facing the state today. Today's youth are increasingly choosing blue-collar jobs, joining manufacturing, and within a short time, beginning to share their experience with their peers. Therefore, many winners of the 'Best in Profession' competition, despite their young age, are already mentors at their companies," said three-time Olympic champion and member of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs, Alexander Karelin.
Minister of Labor and Social Protection Anton Kotyakov presented awards to the best workers in the categories of "Turner," "Miller," and "CNC Machine Operator."
"The competition's winners include the very best in their field. Today, we have winners from 20 categories in the audience. Each has their own story, but they are united by a shared desire to improve their professional skills. And most importantly, passion and a competitive spirit. Today, the 'best in their field' are people who have proven they are moving in the right direction and improving their skills every day. Congratulations!" said Anton Kotyakov.
The winner in the "Turner" category was Viktor Kulbida from the Smolensk region, in the "Milling Machine Operator" category was Alexander Petrov (Nizhny Novgorod region), and in the "CNC Machine Operator" category was Mikhail Evgrashin (Tula region).
"We have much to be proud of: the Russian space industry is one of the most powerful in the world. And at the heart of this industry is the labor of thousands of highly skilled workers. You make a tremendous contribution to our technological sovereignty and the development of our country. I am proud of each and every one of you. Everyone gathered in this hall today is the best professional in Russia, demonstrating the importance of their chosen profession through their daily work," emphasized Hero of Russia and cosmonaut Elena Serova.
Minister of Agriculture Oksana Lut presented awards to the best workers in the Agronomist, Vegetable Grower, Livestock Technician, and Machine Operator categories. The winner in the Agronomist category was Ruzil Zakiev from the Republic of Tatarstan, in the Vegetable Grower category was Ekaterina Avvakumova (Chuvash Republic), in the Livestock Technician category was Yulia Zatsepina from the Samara Region, and in the Machine Operator category was Vladimir Komarov (Tambov Region).
"This year, for the first time, four of our nominations are represented at the competition. Of course, these aren't all the professions and fields available in the agro-industrial complex. Today's winners and runners-up are truly exceptional, and it's wonderful that many of them come from working families. I want to thank you very much for your work and contribution to food security, and wish you health, happiness, and continued professional success," noted Oksana Lut.
Sergei Chernogaev, Chairman of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Russia, presented awards to the best workers in the categories of "Excavator Operator," "Bulldozer Operator," and "Unmanned Aerial Systems Operation Specialist."
"Today's celebratory event is clear proof that the country's true prosperity is created by the hands and minds of workers. Trade unions systematically support the high status of blue-collar jobs through industry championships, mentoring, and enshrining decent work principles in collective agreements. Our shared goal is to ensure that the professional excellence represented here is always in demand, fairly valued, and a source of genuine pride," noted Sergey Chernogayev.
The winner in the “Excavator Operator” category was Ermek Zhaisambaev (Tyumen Oblast), in the “Bulldozer Operator” category was Mikhail Zhuravlev (Tyumen Oblast), and in the “Unmanned Aerial Systems Operation Specialist” category was Ilya Khromov (Kaluga Oblast).
"When my children ask what profession to choose, I answer with a line from Mayakovsky: 'All jobs are good, choose according to your taste!' But the most important thing is that they become professionals in their field, the best of the best in their chosen field. And for success, in addition to talent, hard work, determination, and responsibility are essential. These are the qualities that shape a worthy individual. And all the winners of the 'Best in Profession' competition undoubtedly possess these qualities. It is a great honor for me to present these well-deserved awards to our winners today and to thank their families, who have always supported them and are now present in this hall," said Russian TV presenter Maria Sittel.
Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov presented awards to the best workers in the categories of "Assembler", "Toolmaker", and "Radioelectronic Equipment Installer".
"The 'Best in Profession' competition is more than just a competition. It's a clear sign that the future of Russian industry is in good hands. Each winner is a highly skilled specialist, a role model, and a pillar of strength for the entire industry. Thanks to you, modern industry is developing dynamically, offering consumers increasingly sophisticated devices and systems. It is your expertise that guarantees the impeccable quality of our products," noted Anton Alikhanov.
In the nomination "Assembler-fitter" the first place was taken by Azat Sibgatullin (Republic of Tatarstan), in the nomination "Toolmaker" – Anatoly Radyuk (Smolensk region), in the nomination "Installer of electronic equipment" – Egor Kalyuzhny (Moscow).
"The State Duma is currently passing laws to support working people and develop skilled trades. The government is implementing various measures to recruit personnel and develop industries our country needs. But none of this will work without those who are truly virtuosos of their craft. We deeply commend you for your professionalism, your achievements, and the values you embody – your hard work, your dedication to your profession, your work, and your country. After all, today, when our country is being challenged on all fronts, we speak of success. And these successes are yours. You are a role model for our children, who look up to you and look up to you. A working person today is a true hero," emphasized State Duma Deputy Speaker Anna Kuznetsova.
Minister of Construction and Housing and Public Utilities Irek Fayzullin presented awards to the best workers in the Finishing Work Master and Electrician categories.
"The All-Russian 'Best in Profession' competition plays a vital role in enhancing the prestige of blue-collar jobs, promoting heroic workers, and serves as a platform for public recognition of the outstanding achievements of our craftsmen and an effective mechanism for building a reliable talent pool for strategic sectors of the economy. Today, we are seeing a growing demand in the labor market for blue-collar workers—welders, machine operators, electricians, finishers, and plumbers. Their qualifications, experience, and responsibility directly impact the quality of the living environment, and ultimately, the comfort and safety of millions of Russian citizens," noted Irek Fayzullin.
In the Finishing Works Master category, the winner was Alexander Pitolin (Primorsky Krai), and in the Electrician category, Stanislav Generalov (Volgograd Region).
Deputy Chairperson of the Federation Council Inna Svyatenko presented awards to the best employees in the special category for retrained workers, "Second Start," as well as in the categories of "Mechatronics and Robotics Specialist" and "Cook."
"The competition traditionally brings together professionals who have honed their skills for years in a single profession. And with the introduction of the special "Second Start" category this year, it also welcomes those who have retrained for a vocational profession and are successfully pursuing it. This category has already proven its value. We will continue to hold it as part of the competition; in 2026, it will be dedicated to veterans of the special military operation—both those who have returned to their professions and those who have mastered new ones. I am confident that every participant, regardless of their years in the profession, will find support and inspiration here. Thank you for your work. See you next year!" said Inna Svyatenko.
Alexander Tin-Shan (Sakha Republic) won the special category for retrained workers, "Second Start." Unlike other categories, which pitted the best specialists in a single profession against each other, "Second Start" brought together those who had retrained for a vocational specialty and were successfully pursuing it. Participants had to convince the judges that they had fully mastered their new specialty.
In the category "Mechatronics and Robotics Specialist", the winner was Sergey Bezusov (Volgograd Region), and in the category "Cook", the winner was Konstantin Baldyshev (Vologda Region).
The award ceremony featured performances by the group "Lyube", Oleg Gazmanov, Tatyana Kurtukova, L'One, Valery Syutkin, "Umaturman", Zivert and others.
As a reminder, the All-Russian professional skills competition "Best in Profession" has been part of the "Human Resources" national project since 2025 and is held in two stages. Regional stage winners in each of the competition's 20 categories converge on the capitals hosting the federal stages. The final competitions are held in various regions of Russia.
The top performers in the federal stages of the competition will receive cash prizes: first place – 1 million rubles, second place – 500,000 rubles, and third place – 300,000 rubles.
The "Best in Profession" competition is organized by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection with the support of federal and regional government agencies, all-Russian trade union associations, and employers. The competition operator is the All-Russian Research Institute of Labor.
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