Evaluating students' vocational abilities is a key point in assessing the quality of talent cultivation in New Engineering disciplines in higher vocational colleges. However, at present, there are relatively few studies on the vocational ability assessment of New Engineering students. Based on the COMET capability model and typical work tasks, this study establishes a vocational ability assessment system for students majoring in New Engineering. A total of 244 students from a certain vocational college are selected as the assessment subjects. Based on three ability levels and 24 ability indicators, evaluation indicators and scoring standards are formulated. Open-ended comprehensive test questions, background situation questionnaires and answering motivation questionnaires are designed. The assessment results show that 80.4% of the students have reached the process ability level, while only 5.3% have reached the design ability level. Students lack environmental protection awareness and innovation awareness when completing tasks. This research will provide a scientific reference for the reform of talent cultivation models in colleges and universities, and help them optimize their curriculum systems, teaching models and evaluation systems.