Cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev is new WorldSkills Kazan 2019 ambassador

On 16 December, the day before the launch of the Soyuz MS-07 spaceship, the cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev was recognized as WorldSkills Kazan 2019 Ambassador during the official initiation ceremony.

Sergei Krikalev is an aerobatics pilot and cosmonaut, and one of the few Russian citizens who is awarded both with the Hero of the Russian Federation and Hero of the Soviet Union titles.

"I am glad that the Ambassador of the Competition is someone who is well known not only in Russia but throughout the world, someone who is inspiring millions of people," said WorldSkills Russia Director General Robert Urazov. "I'd like to thank Roskosmos. They actively supported Russian bid for WorldSkills Kazan 2019from the very beginning. It is highly symbolic that the initiation ceremony of Sergei Krikalev takes place at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, from where the rockets are launched, where the true professionals of their craft are working."

"Space industry and aircraft building are not alien to the Republic of Tatarstan, as we have always supported these industries," said WorldSkills Kazan 2019 coordinator Emil Gubaidullin of the Directorate for Sports and Social Events. "We are very glad that Sergei Krikalev accepted being the Ambassador and will show by his own example how you can become a master and have both successful career and life by dedicating yourself to professional skills."

Sergei Krikalev was handed the Ambassador certificate, Competition branded scarf, and a statue with the WorldSkills Kazan 2019 logo.

"The work of a cosmonaut is closely related to the vocational occupations. It used to be actually considered as one, because you have got to control a spacecraft and maintain its systems and work. As a cosmonaut, you should know how to work with your hands and use your head. This is exactly what the young professionals will do while getting ready and competing at WorldSkills Kazan 2019. I wish all the best of luck to the organizers. The events like this will attract the youth to engage in industry and space activities," said Sergei Krikalev at the initiation ceremony.

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The WorldSkills Kazan 2019 Ambassador programme is implemented in the build-up to the 45th edition of the WorldSkills Competition, which will be hosted in Kazan in 2019. Renowned and talented professionals and public figures are invited to join the programme.

The famous cook and restaurateur Arkady Novikov was announced as the first Ambassador for WorldSkills Kazan 2019.

Boris Akimov, founder of the LavkaLavka farmer cooperative and Vladimir Chagin, Russian raid driver, seven-time winner of the Dakar Rally, pilot of the KAMAZ Master team are also the Ambassadors for WorldSkills Kazan 2019.