The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation has officially added the "flame cutting torch operator" category to the roster of professions featured in the federal stage of the Best in Profession all-Russian professional skills competition. This landmark decision underscores the growing importance and prestige of the flame cutting torch operator profession within the scrap processing industry while opening up new opportunities for skilled specialists.
The winner in this category will take home a grand prize of 1,000,000 rubles. Second place carries a reward of 500,000 rubles, with third place receiving 300,000 rubles. The awards ceremony is scheduled for December 2026 in Moscow.
To qualify for the federal stage — and a shot at that 1,000,000 ruble prize — candidates must first claim victory in the regional round of the competition within their respective Russian Federation subject.
The Ministry of Labor has selected Kemerovo Region as the host region for the federal stage of the "flame cutting torch operator" category. The competition will take place in Kuzbass's southern capital at the ProLom educational cluster, located within the Novokuznetsk Mining and Transport College named after V.F. Kuznetsov. The event will run parallel to the traditional industry-specific "Best in Profession" competition organized by the ProLom SRO Association of Scrap Processors with support from SGMK and strategic partner - Noviy Vtormet. For participants, this means a unique opportunity to double their chances at taking home top honors.