Based on the school orientation, and CDIO engineering education model, the paper elaborates on the research and practice of the model to cultivate engineering ability-oriented and high-quality applicable students with a major in automation, by setting clearly defined cultivation objectives, exploring quality-oriented education, establishing the knowledge and ability system, developing training programs, integrating curriculum, launching practice and teaching platforms on and off campus, implementing educational reform, evaluating cultivation objectives and continuously adjusting the thoughts of the training aspects. This model has been implemented and achieved significant results in the Pilot Plan of Cultivating Excellent Engineers authorized by the Ministry of Education in Automation Department of our school.