Steel opportunities: What youth programmes are in place at Zaporizhstal

The employer is ready to invest in young people.

Zaporizhzhia is a city of major industrial enterprises, so it has a broad educational base that trains specialists for future work in this sector of the economy. Technologists and related professions are trained by the Zaporizhzhia Metallurgical Vocational College of ZNU, the Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic Centre for Vocational Education, the Zaporizhzhia Railway Transport Vocational Lyceum, the Zaporizhzhia Industrial Centre for Vocational Education, the Zaporizhzhia Construction Centre for Vocational Education, the Zaporizhzhia Higher Vocational School “Motorobudivnyk”, the Engineering Educational and Scientific Institute of ZNU, the National University “Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic”, and Zaporizhzhia National University.

At Zaporizhstal, young people are supported from the stage of introductory and industrial placements, helping them put their theoretical knowledge into practice under the guidance of experienced mentors.

Every year, more than 500 students and pupils pursuing vocational, professional or higher education undertake introductory, industrial and pre-graduation placements at Zaporizhstal and the other Metinvest enterprises in Zaporizhzhia. The best candidates are guaranteed paid placements and invited to join the company.

“Young people who are focused on global trends in digital professions, remote work, creativity and freedom generally do not consider metallurgy for themselves. But that is a mistake: The mining and metallurgical industry has long ceased to be conservative and is ready to offer specialists flexible conditions, good prospects and opportunities. Zaporizhstal is systematically rethinking its HR strategies, implementing changes, and investing in motivation, training and the engagement of new groups of employees,” says Zaporizhstal HR Director Maksym Ped.

All training materials, webinars and interactive programmes are modern and tailored to the needs of young people, such as a crane operator or locomotive driver simulator that feels more like an exciting computer game.

“The placement at Zaporizhstal is focused and engaging, and with the simulators it becomes truly exciting. During training, it is important for me to experience the controls myself and see the working conditions with my own eyes. This helps me to delve deeper and make a well-considered professional choice,” says Rostyslav Sydorov, a student of the Zaporizhzhia Metallurgical Vocational College of ZNU and a Zaporizhstal trainee.

For students of the Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic Centre for Vocational Education, an additional scholarship programme called “Steel Future” has been introduced this year, providing scholarship of 1,000–1,500 UAH from the very first year.

During the placement, Zaporizhstal also provides students with a personal mentor, financial support and free meals. After being hired at Zaporizhstal, a young specialist can receive compensation for rental housing from the company, along with other benefits offered by the employer.

Metinvest Polytechnic: education that meets the demands of the labour market.

Metinvest Polytechnic offers education that is both forward-looking and accessible. The university works closely with business and trains specialists in areas that are strategically important for the country: mining, metallurgy, automation, occupational safety, IT and more. All educational programmes are licensed by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, undergo state accreditation and certification by the National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance.

Studying is organised to modern standards – with an emphasis on practical experience, digital tools and up-to-date production technologies. Moreover, thanks to a flexible schedule that combines online lectures with hands-on experience in enterprises, students can successfully balance work and study while having access to international internship programmes.

Metinvest Group funds education for its employees, their children and students who are ready to combine their studies with work at the company’s enterprises. State vouchers are also available, covering part of the tuition cost — up to UAH 30,280. If the programme costs more, the student can pay the difference themselves or seek financial support from their employer. Details can be found on the university’s website: https://metinvest.university.

First job

For more than a year, Metinvest has been running the “First Job” programme, which, in addition to mentoring and paid on-the-job training, offers extra financial incentives: UAH 50 ths added to wages and bonuses during the first year of employment. Since the programme was launched, 218 young specialists at Zaporizhstal have joined, with payout budgets exceeding UAH 4 mln.

“I first did my internship at Zaporizhstal, then decided to take a job – the work is clear, interesting, and the conditions suit me. On top of that, the financial incentive for the first year of work was a pleasant bonus. Now my goal is to build my career here,” said programme participant Kyrylo Pishchenko, a process engineer at Zaporizhstal’s Quality Control Department.

For Kyrylo, as for other specialists regardless of age, Zaporizhstal creates favourable conditions for work and professional development: a decent salary level, social guarantees, company-funded training, and additional benefits.

“Our goal is to create opportunities not only to engage young people, but also to develop their potential and foster long-term professional growth. Corporate education projects, programmes supporting youth initiatives, and clear career paths are the tools that enable young specialists to prove themselves, increase their income and advance professionally,” said Zaporizhstal HR Director Maksym Ped.

Room for growth

One in four employees at the plant is under 35 – young people united not only by work, but also by shared values, interests and hobbies. The plant’s youth organisation offers employees shared leisure activities, sports and arts events, volunteer initiatives, as well as a range of motivational programmes and a corporate discount system for goods and services called “Steel Bonus”.

For details on youth programmes at Zaporizhstal and current vacancies, visit the enterprise's HR department at: city of Zaporizhzhia, Pivdenne highway, 72, or by phone 067 545 36 74.