13 JUNE / 2022 / 10:23
In March 2020, the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic brought about significant restrictions that also impacted the operations of the Training and Education Center (TEC). Despite these challenging circumstances, the center was able to conduct a substantial amount of training, amounting to 2,429 hours, in which a total of 490 individuals participated. This comprehensive training program was distributed across various departments and specializations within the organization. The breakdown of these training sessions is as follows:
1. Automotive Transport Column: 10 workers participated in a 22-hour training session.
2. Combined Workshops: 7 workers were involved in a 20-hour training program.
3. Diagnostic and Metrological Support Center: 26 specialists were engaged in a comprehensive 242-hour training.
4. Depot Operations Department: 17 employees completed a 124-hour training session.
5. Electromechanics Service: A brief but focused 4-hour training was conducted for 11 workers.
6. Electric Supply Service: 30 workers participated in 118 hours of training.
7. Machinist Preparation Courses: This was one of the most extensive training sessions, with 29 participants completing 1,087 hours.
8. Motion Service: 85 workers were involved in 269 hours of training.
9. Signaling and Communication Service: 80 individuals received 162 hours of training.
10. Security and Fire Safety Service: 14 employees underwent a 20-hour training session.
11. Health, Labor Organization, and Environmental Protection Department: 77 workers were engaged in 70 hours of training.
12. Tunnel Facilities Service: 35 individuals completed 52 hours of training.
13. Road Service: 69 workers participated in 230 hours of training
During the reporting year, several important projects were executed. Notably, new graduates were recruited as trainees into the staff of the Training and Education Center (TEC) through an interview process. This initiative marked the commencement of their training and integration into the organization. The newly recruited employees were first involved in a two-week introductory and adaptation training at the TEC. This phase provided them with comprehensive information about the metro system's structure, operations, and projects, and included organized tours of the tunnels and depots.
Following this initial phase, the trainees were assigned to mentors designated by the TEC for a period of three months. This mentorship phase was designed to acquaint them firsthand with the work of different structural units and to strengthen their professional skills and habits. During this period, they actively participated in various aspects of the service’s operations, following a program jointly prepared with the structural units. The progress of the trainees was closely monitored through workplace visits by TEC leaders and representatives, who conducted question-and-answer sessions to gauge the program's effectiveness. In total, 16 trainees were recruited across three groups in this direction. Out of these, three trainees who successfully completed their training period began working as electrical fitters in the electric supply service. Currently, five individuals from this service, three from the depot operations department, three from the signaling and communication service, one from the electromechanics service, one from the major wagon repair service, and one from the administrative department, making a total of 13 individuals, are continuing their professional training across various structural departments.
Throughout the reported year, continuous improvements were made in the training process of the machinist preparation courses. Theoretical trainings, practical exercises in tunnel and depot production areas, and simulator practices were regularly conducted. In 2020, a total of 1,087 hours of training was provided for machinist preparation. Six individuals who successfully completed the course were employed in the machinist profession. Currently, 22 individuals are continuing their training, with 11 of them having completed the theoretical part and progressed to practical train driving exercises.
In relation to the opening of a new station, candidates for the centralized motion service and platform supervisor positions were involved in selection exams and participated in the staffing commission. Twenty-six successful candidates, divided into two groups, were enrolled in two-month training programs. At the end of the training, 18 candidates achieved satisfactory results in the final professional knowledge exam.
This year, work began on creating an explanatory dictionary of metropolitan terms at the training center. More than 13,000 terms were collected through a process involving various structural units and were submitted to the technical council for discussion. The translation of these terms from Russian to Azerbaijani has been completed, and an agreement has been reached with relevant experts for their translation into English.
Meetings were held with the leadership of universities and educational institutions to attract young and talented staff to the metropolitan. In this direction, agreements were reached with representatives of Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University, Azerbaijan University of Architecture and Construction, Azerbaijan Technical University, and Baku State Vocational Education Center on Railways and Metro regarding the organization of joint seminars and classes.
The Training and Education Center (TEC) actively participated in the restructuring of the accident-repair unit. In collaboration with the depot operations department and the train movement safety inspectorate, new programs were developed, and relevant instructions were given before and after the training sessions. Throughout the year, 30 accident-response drills were conducted jointly with the accident-repair center. In addition to restoring passenger and utility trains that had derailed, planned accident vehicle runs and accident calls were conducted.
Preparations for a new program for 2021 have been planned. The TEC staff also participated in accident-response drills conducted in other structural units, filmed these sessions, and provided their recommendations.
Work began on updating the test database used in the final knowledge assessments of specialization and staff training programs. Questions previously included in the program by each structural unit were collected at a central location, reviewed, and corrected by the TEC, and then incorporated into the exam program. The expansion of the database was pursued by requesting new questions from structural units and refining existing questions.
To ensure the continued work capacity and agility of active train machinists, accident-response drills were conducted throughout the year on simulators for 81-765/766 series wagons located in the TEC building and for 81-717/714 series wagons located in a technical cabinet in the depot area. Machinists showing weak performance were instructed and re-engaged in repeat exercises. Throughout the year, 560 individuals participated in drills on simulators for new series wagons, and 1,353 participated in drills for 81-717/714 series wagons.
Training-lecture programs of 20 weeks/40 hours were organized for 13 structural leaders to further enhance and refine necessary instructions. These sessions included reading and discussing technical operation rules, signaling instructions, train movement and maneuvering instructions, tunnel entry rules, the removal of tension from contact rails, and fire safety regulations.
To improve the quality of training, facilitate comprehension, and ensure proper use of new equipment, the TEC staff began translating foreign-language literature. Initially, nine pieces of literature essential for depot workers were translated, approved by the technical council, and published. Additionally, TEC staff translated seven instructions and nine passports for new equipment used in the major repair of electric motors and one instruction for flexible automatic machines installed in depot sheds.
The center also actively participated in the preparations for establishing a unified dispatcher center. Training programs were developed for preparing skilled personnel and creating job descriptions for the new structure. At the initiative of the center's leadership, a “Training and Education” section was established on the metro.gov.az corporate portal. The main purpose of this section is to make information about the TEC's current work, teaching materials, exam results, and various activity directions more accessible.
To increase the effectiveness of training, work began on creating an electrical safety room for the health, labor safety, and environmental protection department, setting up a room for “Thales” training in the signaling and communication service, and installing computers for “Autocad” training.
