The article analyzes the process of building the titanium industry of the Ural Region through the prism of the human resource development of the branch, development of its creative activity in the period of large-scale production at the two main titanium industry enterprises of the country in 1954 – early 1960s. The main directions of training personnel in the center and at the local level (Institutes of Higher Education — technical vocational schools — tradesman schools) are examined. Those institutions formed a single complex, which prompted the growth of titanium industry in the country and resulted in its leading position in the world. The author pays a particular attention to examining the dual character of socialist competition, and the role of rationalization activities in technology improvement. He also pointed out common features of the two factories activities in these fields as well as the differences determined by the specifics of production.