On October 28 to November 1, 2025, the Cold Work Sheet Metal Worker and Nondestructive Testing Operator competitions of the 17th National Engineering Construction System Vocational Skills Competition were successfully held at the Hangzhou Xizi Wisdom Industrial Park.

The 17th National Engineering Construction System Vocational Skills Competition is a national level-2 competition approved by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and jointly organized by the China Engineering Construction Welding Association and the China Employment Training Technical Instruction Center. It has been incorporated into the "2025–2026 National Industry Vocational Skills Competition" plan. This competition consists of three stages. The first stage features the Cold Work Sheet Metal Worker and Nondestructive Testing Operator events, which were held in October 2025. The second stage is the Electric Welder event, scheduled to take place in April 2026. The third stage is the Welding Equipment Operator (Robotic Welding) event, planned for October 2026.

 The two events, Cold Work Sheet Metal Worker and Nondestructive Testing Operator, bear distinct contemporary characteristics and hold profound strategic significance. As an indispensable foundational trade in the equipment manufacturing industry, the skill level of Cold Work Sheet Metal Worker directly affects the structural quality and manufacturing precision of major equipment. This event also represents the closest alignment between China’s current occupational standards and competitions and the WorldSkills competition in Construction Metal Work. By drawing on the advanced concepts and management experience of WorldSkills, this competition aims to promote learning, training, and capacity building through competition, continuously enhancing China’s overall manufacturing level and international competitiveness in the field of metal structure processing. The Nondestructive Testing Operator event serves as the “gatekeeper” for ensuring engineering quality and operational safety. The accuracy and reliability of this technology play a critical role in ensuring the long-term, safe, and stable operation of facilities in key sectors such as nuclear power, aerospace, energy, and chemicals.

At the Cold Work Sheet Metal Worker competition venue, steel clashed with craftsmanship. Each workstation was neatly arranged with steel plates, tools, and welding machines, forming independent "craftsmanship workshops." The contestants were fully focused, demonstrating the profound theoretical knowledge and superb practical skills they had accumulated through daily training to the fullest extent.

The Nondestructive Testing Operator competition venue resembled a "detective game" set in the microscopic world of steel, filled with a quiet and rigorous atmosphere. The contestants transformed into "industrial doctors," focusing intently on uncovering internal "health hazards" within the workpieces. A silent contest unfolded between standardized operation and precise judgment, testing the contestants' attention to detail and their reverence for the profession.

After rigorous assessment and evaluation, a group of exceptionally skilled talents stood out, fully demonstrating the remarkable excellence and solid strength of Chinese craftsmen in the new era.

The simultaneous holding of the Cold Work Sheet Metal Worker and Nondestructive Testing Operator events not only reflects the association's overall planning and targeted efforts in cultivating skilled talent for key links in the engineering construction industry chain, but also represents concrete actions taken by the China Engineering Construction Welding Association to implement the Guiding Opinions on Promoting Skill-Driven Enterprise Development and the Opinions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on Promoting the Development and Growth of the Private Economy. The competition coincides with the 70th anniversary of Xizi Clean Energy, which not only adds special significance to the event but also profoundly illustrates the fine tradition of passing down craftsmanship and striving forward in China's equipment manufacturing industry. The 70-year development journey of Xizi Clean Energy serves as a vivid textbook on adhering to high-quality development and standing at the forefront of the times. The series of activities held around the anniversary, particularly the deep integration with the national-level vocational skills competition, fully demonstrate the company's profound commitment to respecting labor, valuing skills, and pursuing excellence, as well as its firm dedication to serving the national strategies of "carbon peak and carbon neutrality" and "building a skilled and strong nation." Multiple media outlets, including CCTV News, Zhejiang News, and Skill China, have reported on the event.