In order to comprehensively cultivate innovative engineering talents, the adoption the CDIO (Conceive, Design, Implement, and Operate) engineering education model is the latest achievement of international engineering education reform in recent years. This article adopts the CDIO training mode, takes students' practical ability, learning ability, employability, and innovative spirit as a main line, combines the characteristics of related professions, reforms the training mode of thermal energy and power engineering professionals, and highlights the combination of self-study and research. In self-study, it focuses on practicality and effectiveness, and builds an education model that integrates CDIO with innovative engineering and scientific talents. It is guided by social needs and is based on students’ practical abilities. With the progress of times, a relatively complete training system is formed, which enables the students can adapt to the needs of the complex application talents brought by rapid development of modern science and technology and increasingly social and economic changes. Keywords—CDIO; Innovative engineering talent; Education mode; Teaching practice