Ningdong Power Supply Company Hosts Inaugural “Green Shoots” Skills Competition, Showcasing 182 Rising Stars

From February 11th to 13th, State Grid Ningdong Electric Power Supply Company successfully held its first-ever “Green Shoots” Skills Competition. This skills competition brought together 182 promising young employees hired within the past three years from across eight key disciplines –including marketing, substation operations & maintenance, substation repair, grid dispatch, transmission, distribution, secondary systems, and IT & communications. Participants, representing core business functions and customer service, competed in a comprehensive assessment of theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and simulated emergency response to electrical shock. The event aimed to help employees quickly re-engage after the Lunar New Year holiday and boost their professional expertise. With a focus on pragmatic approaches and technical proficiency, these up-and-coming professionals demonstrated the dedication, expertise, and vibrant energy of a new generation of power industry workers.

Co-organized by State Grid Ningdong Electric Power Supply Company’s Organization Department and Youth League Committee, planning for the event began in September 2024 alongside the company’s winter training program. Drawing on the expertise of various departments and a detailed competition plan, the company compiled a study bank of over 10,000 questions covering five professional areas, including distribution operations & maintenance, marketing services, dispatch & communication, and general knowledge of company strategy and culture. This resource provided contestants with a targeted framework for theoretical learning, forming a solid foundation for the subsequent written exam. Local units actively prepared their teams, providing sufficient study materials, training facilities, and equipment, integrating efficient and systematic review sessions for the competition preparation into their winter training programs.

The Competition comprised three key components: a written exam, a practical skills assessment, and an electrical shock emergency response simulation. The written exam was held at the State Grid Ningxia Training Center to ensure fairness and test integrity. The exam, completed online, consisted of 500 multiple-choice questions covering professional technical knowledge (60%), general knowledge (20%), and safety regulations (20%), with participants given two hours to complete it. The practical skills assessment, encompassing eight specialties such as marketing services, substation operations & maintenance, grid dispatch, etc., took place across five separate training sites, providing a realistic evaluation of the participants’ on-the-job capabilities. The electrical shock emergency response assessment further enhanced the participants’ emergency response preparedness.

During the written exam, the young employees showcased composure by calmly and methodically tackling the computer-based exam and skills-based written questions. They systematically integrated their theoretical knowledge and practical experience within the allotted time, accurately analyzing various question types. In the practical skills assessment, the participants handled equipment debugging and troubleshooting with ease, demonstrating sound technique proficiency and high professionalism. To foster a positive, competitive, and engaging atmosphere, State Grid Ningdong Electric Power Supply Company’s Youth League Committee meticulously designed and produced a range of custom-branded merchandise for the Competition, including tote bags, notebooks, name tags, and participant badges, all featuring the original “Green Shoots” Skills Competition logo. The competition venue also featured youth-centric elements such as a unique signature wall, event displays, directional signage, and 3D lettering to enhance the participants’ sense of engagement. Furthermore, several video productions, including “Green Shoots” Skills Competition countdowns, post-event interviews, and competition highlights,  were created and prominently displayed on State Grid Ningdong Electric Power Supply Company’s website and social media, showcasing the Competition and its participants’ achievements. The innovative, dynamic, and youthful atmosphere of the Competition and its associated promotional efforts was well-received by all involved.

The “Green Shoots” Skills Competition was designed to strengthen the company’s commitment to nurturing young talent. Throughout the Competition, leaders from Ningxia Electric Power Company’s Organization Department, the Ningxia Electric Power Training Center, and State Grid Ningdong Electric Power Supply Company’s leadership team were highly supportive, visiting the event to provide guidance and encouragement to the young employees. The Competition, which emphasized learning, practice, and application, has effectively implemented the Party’s essential requirements for talent cultivation mandate, comprehensively assessed the young employees’ theoretical knowledge, professional skills, and practical capabilities, and promoted the overall improvement of young professionals across all disciplines.(By Guo Chenchen & Yang Shuting & Shi Feng)