A total of 62 employees from Guinea's Simandou Railway will receive four months of closed, specialized training at Baotou Railway Vocational and Technical College, starting from Oct 12. They will learn core skills, including diesel locomotive operation, heavy-haul control, and emergency response.

Trainees learn about railway operation via a station simulation model. [Photo/Baotou news network]

This training program is precisely aligned with Guinea's national strategic plan. The Simandou Iron Mine stands as a world-class major mineral resource project, and its supporting railway serves as the artery ensuring the smooth operation of the project's industrial chain.

Cultivating local talents proficient in China's railway technical standards is a practical necessity to guarantee the safe and stable operation of this major overseas cooperation project. It will also cement the bonds of cooperation between the two countries.

The program totals 480 class hours. Tailored closely to the actual job requirements and working scenarios of the Simandou Railway, the full curriculum creates a closed-loop training system featuring intensive theoretical lectures, simulator training, hands-on practice, monthly assessments, and a final graduation examination.

Baotou Railway Vocational and Technical College has long been committed to international vocational education partnerships. Its cooperation network spans Mongolia, Russia, Belarus, Algeria, Guinea, and other countries. To date, it has trained more than 600 rail transit technicians for nearly 20 countries.

Trainees learn how to operate a locomotive via simulator training. [Photo/Baotou news network]

Wang Zicheng, a college representative, said the training program marks an important step for the college to promote vocational education overseas, export China's railway technical standards, and carry out cultural exchanges. It will also help Baotou enhance its strengths in cultivating foreign-related skilled personnel and provide a new practical model for the city to expand international exchanges and cooperation.