In June 2017, 15 graduates of Technological College No. 24 under the secondary vocational education program in the specialty "Design, modeling and technology of sewing products"passed the final certification in a new format of a demonstration exam according to standards Worldskills by competence «Fashion technology». 

What is a demo exam?

The demonstration exam according to the standards of Worldskills provides: modeling of real production conditions for graduates to demonstrate professional skills and abilities; independent expert assessment of the performance of tasks of the demonstration exam; determination of the level of knowledge, skills and abilities of graduates in accordance with international requirements. The demonstration exam is conducted according to the tasks developed by the expert community based on the tasks of the Final of the National Championship "Young professionals", while maintaining the level of complexity. The exam is taken by experts led by the chief expert, a certified Worldskills expert, experts who have been trained in the Worldskills Union participate in the assessment of the exam. The demonstration exam is taken at the site, which must meet the requirements of the Infrastructure Competence Sheet, international standards. Information about the exam takers is entered into the CIS and eSIM databases, the best graduates who have passed the exam are issued a Skills Passport, which contains all the competencies and points scored based on the exam results.

What are the requirements for the competence of "Fashion technology" and for graduates?

A specialist in the competence of "Fashion technology" of the international level is engaged in the creation of clothing. His technical qualification implies knowledge of the basics of design, various systems of designing clothes and cutting techniques, technological techniques for making clothes and its final finishing. Such a specialist can work in one of several sectors of the industry. However, most often he becomes an individual entrepreneur working to order. All this presupposes the presence of an entrepreneurial streak and developed communication skills in working with customers.

Are necessary: a high level of compliance with customer requirements and the ability to sell.

Clothes for responsible events are often made to order, so a specialist "Fashion technologies" must understand the needs of the client and be able to provide professional recommendations in the process of interpreting the task. It requires a clear understanding and compliance with the instructions of the customer. To fulfill orders, expensive fabrics are used, which, in order to avoid damage to them, require special treatment. A specialist should take care of the raw materials with which he works, as well as have extensive knowledge in the field of effective search, acquisition, use, storage of all materials and handling them. Fashion design requires innovative, creative thinking, artistic talent and designer qualifications, which allows you to combine aesthetic advantages with functional ones, and take into account other design nuances. This specialist should know and apply the rules and theory of composition using elements and design principles, and the design techniques applicable to them. In addition, they must understand the special equipment and the features of its application. They need a high level of technical knowledge to create models and design. Different fabrics "behave" differently depending on the design, and also react differently to the production technology. These features must be taken into account at all stages of the development, preparation and manufacture of clothing.

What tasks do graduates perform?

In the task of the demonstration exam on competence "Fashion technology"there were works on the manufacture of sewing products. Graduates received instructions, sketches and drawings, materials and accessories. There are five modules in total, which were performed sequentially and evaluated separately. Namely: designing and manufacturing of a waist product (skirt) in accordance with the sketch, designing and manufacturing of a padded shoulder product (jacket) in accordance with the description, layout of a shoulder product (top) according to the sketch with drapery on a mannequin, sketching, graphic sketches of models (technical drawing) in accordance with the properties fabrics. In addition, it was necessary to take into account the market segments to choose from: «mass market», «pret-a-porte de luxe» or «haute couture ». There was also a surprise task, the so-called "Black Box", the development of an accessory complementing the top.

The tasks performed by graduates of Technological College No. 24 are much broader than the competencies they received during their studies in the specialty. They were helped to successfully cope with the task by the knowledge gained in optional classes under the program of additional vocational education.

What does a demonstration exam give a graduate?

Professional portfolio, the opportunity to demonstrate professional skills, including those missing in the educational program, motivation for further continuation of their professional activities.

What does passing a demonstration exam give for an employer? 

Independent assessment of the graduate's level of training, determination of the level of professional skills and abilities; staff selection in accordance with the results of specific professional modules; access to the all-Russian database of graduates who have passed the demonstration exam procedure and participants in the Worldskills Russia championship system; identification of educational organizations for cooperation in the field of personnel training and training.

What is Worldskills?

Worldskills is an international movement founded in 1950 with the aim of increasing the prestige of working professions and the development of vocational education, the movement unites 75 countries. Russia joined the Worldskills championship movement of working professions in 2012. The championship is a platform where the best masters from many countries can exchange experience, and not just learn, but also form modern international standards. In 2019, the International Worldskills Competition will be held in Kazan.

The experience of conducting the demonstration exam allowed the management and teaching staff of the Technological College No. 24 to conclude that conducting the exam in this format gives students wonderful opportunities to develop their potential for the formation of their professional competencies, and teachers and social partners-employers - to objectively evaluate graduates' readiness for professional activity.