At the end of February, three new supplementary professional competency programs were launched at the Student Creativity Center of Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University: “Blacksmithing (Hand Forging),” “3D Printing Operator,” and “Mechanical Assembly Fitter.”
These programs are designed for students of all specializations – the idea is to ensure that future engineers acquire basic hands-on skills as early as possible, familiarize themselves with tools and equipment, and, in general, develop an appreciation for working with their hands.
The practical training sessions take place in the university’s educational and experimental workshops. These include a lathe and milling shop, a fitter’s workshop, a carpentry shop, a stone processing lab, and others. Previously, these facilities were used only for the university’s internal needs, but they have now been transformed into full-fledged training platforms.
Forpost decided to take a closer look at each of the new specializations. Today’s focus is on fitting and assembly work.
Germany is considered the birthplace of this craft, where Schlossers, the predecessors of modern fitters (from the German Schloss – "lock"), first appeared. This was the name given to craftsmen who worked with metal and manufactured locks. In 1545, the first professional guild was established in the German town of Schmalkalden. These skilled workers produced shields, swords, tools, household items, and even jewelry. In Russia, Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich is regarded as the founder of this trade. In 1649, he issued the Decree on Urban Order, which stated that craftsmen should "be knowledgeable in all domestic work, repairs, and other tasks."
Today, this profession can confidently be called multidisciplinary. Fitters are involved in assembling and installing equipment, repairing structures and mechanisms, processing wood, plastic, metal, and other materials, and contributing to the development of various types of machinery. The Russian Ministry of Labor has included fitters in its list of the top 50 most in-demand professions, with more than 100 different specializations available. At Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University, students can gain competencies in assembly fitting, electrical fitting, and pipeline fitting. The program is structured to cover all essential aspects—from safety regulations to core operations and working with equipment.
- We have identified that not all schools offer practical labor classes, and many students lack basic hands-on skills, such as those required in fitting and assembly work. They don’t know what a file or a hacksaw is. However, every engineer needs to understand the fundamentals. We sometimes encounter this issue when hiring inexperienced designers—they don’t fully grasp what they are drawing. As a result, this leads to major problems, making it extremely difficult for them to engage in design work and solve engineering tasks, - says Alexey Usypko, Director of the Student Creativity Center.
Today's task is to craft a weathervane, consisting of two components—a propeller and a tail fin with blades. The students are given an entire day (four class sessions) to complete it. First, they study the blueprints, take measurements of the parts using calipers and micrometers, record their results in checklists, and compare the data with reference tables. This helps them detect potential errors or defects—otherwise, the weathervane would not fit together properly. Interestingly, they are allowed to use creative thinking and make minor adjustments to the design. The most engaging part follows—practical training on machine tools, under the supervision of experienced instructors.
- Today, we are working on a simple project. At the same time, students are learning all the fundamental fitting operations—thread cutting, working with a file, hammer, and other tools, riveting, and more. In the end, they produce a finished model with a complete form, fully functional and ready for use, - explains Sergey Budarin, a 6th-category fitter-mechanic.
The instructor is one of three teachers in the fitting and assembly section of the training and experimental workshops at Saint Petersburg Mining University. Each of them specializes in a specific area because, as in any profession, it is crucial to find one's niche. Sergey Viktorovich is a pipeline fitter, working with pressure systems. He knows how to ensure hermetic sealing and safety, as well as how to assemble, adjust, and launch a structure.
- No technical specialization can be mastered without fundamental fitting skills. Even if you don’t work with your hands, your mind still needs to understand how everything is structured and functions, - says Sergey Budarin.
There is no doubt that students enjoy working with their hands—they are so engaged that they hesitate to take breaks. Moreover, female students find the process just as fascinating as their male peers.
Ksenia Kuznetsova, a second-year student at the Faculty of Oil and Gas, is eagerly trying out new tools and equipment, drilling holes, and cutting out parts. She had previously encountered concepts like threading, filing, tolerance, countersinking, drilling, and center punching, but only in theory—on technical drawings. Now, she is thrilled to have the opportunity to experience the process firsthand.
- Seeing it on paper is one thing, but when you actually do it yourself, everything becomes much clearer—you view the process with completely different eyes. This summer, we will have an internship at an industrial facility, and acquiring this skill is a mandatory requirement for it.
Mikhail Reshilov, also a second-year student, shares her sentiment. Originally from the Urals, he is already familiar with woodworking, carpentry, and other hands-on tasks, thanks to shop classes in school and the experience passed down from his father and grandfather.
- There’s nothing complicated about it—these are the most basic operations every man should know. This kind of knowledge is useful in everyday life, whether at home or in the garage—to fix, repair, or assemble something. And, of course, in our profession, it’s essential to analyze and draw conclusions.
Of course, within the 72-hour course, students can only familiarize themselves with the fundamentals of the profession, but that is precisely the goal—understanding the process. The knowledge and skills acquired during this training are an integral part of most engineering specialties.
For students who will be involved in the construction and maintenance of oil and gas transportation and storage facilities, it is crucial to understand pipeline repair processes, including cutting out defective sections and beveling metal edges for welding. They must learn the algorithms for restoring damaged pipelines and develop skills in installing and maintaining mainline pumps, compressors for pumping stations, and oil storage tanks.
An equally important aspect of future industrial management is the ability to read and interpret technical drawings and prepare technical documentation, which is also covered in this professional competency course. These skills will also benefit those planning to develop operational charts in research institutes. It is hard to imagine a project engineer in a metro construction firm assessing a contractor’s repair work without the ability to properly evaluate even the simplest bolted connections.
And this is just one of eight competencies required for a given student and one of 300 available at the university. The certificates of completion for these courses will serve as a valuable addition to the diploma of Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University.
