Twenty­five years: The JSC “NIIAS” Training Center as an Integrator of Technological Sovereignty Competencies

Objective. Analysis of the evolution and role of the JSC “NIIAS” Training Center in the context of the digital transformation of the railway industry, overcoming the “competence vacuum” and forming personnel potential for ensuring technological sovereignty. Definition of methodological foundations and promising directions of the Center’s activity as an integrator of advanced competencies. Methods. The study uses historical and logical analysis of the Training Center’s development stages, a systematic approach to considering its role in the industry ecosystem “RZD – NIIAS – Universities”, as well as the methodology of problem- oriented learning based on the principle of “teaching to understand the ocean rather than giving fish”. Methods of cascade knowledge transfer and modeling of integration processes in the educational environment are used. Results. The key stages of the transformation of the Training Center’s mission have been identified and characterized: from eliminating systemic knowledge gaps of personnel to proactively forming a unified field of competencies and creating professions of the future. The unique methodology of “live” learning is revealed, which minimizes the gap between educational programs and the real requirements for the implementation of innovations, such as “virtual coupling” and robotic complexes. A cascade integration model has been developed and presented, ensuring knowledge synchronization between technology developers (JSC “NIIAS”), the customer (JSC “RZD”) and educational institutions. New professional retraining programs in robotization, scheduled for launch in 2026, are announced: “Business Analyst for Robotization of Processes in Railway Transport” and “Auditor for Robotization of Production Processes in Transport”. Conclusion. The activity of the JSC “NIIAS” Training Center has evolved towards creating a system of advanced personnel training, which allows not only to respond to current challenges but also to proactively shape the future of railway transport. The Center is positioned as a key element of the intellectual protection of critical infrastructure, whose methodology and integration model contribute to overcoming the “competence vacuum”, improving traffic safety and ensuring the technological sovereignty of the industry. The creation of a unified digital educational and production ecosystem (“Digital Contour of RZD Personnel Training”) is recognized as a promising direction for development.

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