At the “Welcome Day: Career Start” Open Day organised by Zaporizhzhia National University, young people from Zaporizhzhia explored educational and professional opportunities. Zaporizhstal presented one of the event’s most popular venues and demonstrated that a career path in metallurgy can be clear, modern, and full of promise.
At the plant’s interactive zone, participants learned about opportunities available to young people even during their studies: introductory, industrial, and pre‑graduate placements, paid internships, mentor support, and, for the most outstanding, prospects for employment. Each year, more than 300 university and college students benefit from these opportunities at Zaporizhstal and other Metinvest Group enterprises in Zaporizhzhia.
Particular attention during interactions with visitors was given to youth support programmes that help not only to enter the profession, but also to build a confident and sustainable career path. Notably, the “First Job” programme provides for paid on‑the‑job training, mentorship support, and additional financial incentives totalling UAH 50,000 during the first year of employment. Over the course of the programme, 248 young specialists from Zaporizhstal have already taken part, with the total budget for payments exceeding UAH 6 million. Further details on the programme’s terms are available via the link.
A scholarship programme entitled “Steel Future” is available for students of vocational and professional institutions who choose specialisations that are in high demand within the industry. It provides not only scholarship payments, but also additional social benefits, including free meals during placements and corporate bonuses. At present, the programme has over 50 participants, who have already received payments totalling more than UAH 370,000. It was previously reported that Zaporizhstal is expanding the “Steel Future” scholarship programme for students pursuing technical specialisations.
“Metallurgy has long been, and continues to be, one of the fundamental sectors of the economy, and in the context of the country’s future reconstruction and transformation, its role will only grow. For this very reason, the profession of a metallurgist is not only in demand today, but also one with a clear and assured future. It will be in demand wherever infrastructure is being developed, industry is being restored, and the economic resilience of the state is being strengthened. In this context, young people are the driving force of development, and at Zaporizhstal we regard the younger generation as an integral part of the enterprise’s and the country’s future. For this reason, we consistently invest in youth support programmes, creating opportunities for education, career entry, and professional growth,” said Maksym Ped, HR Director of Zaporizhstal.
As part of the event, through interactive activities—including a quest and a quiz—young participants were introduced to the advantages of working at the plant: company-funded training, a clear career pathway, the “Steel Bonus” corporate discount scheme, as well as opportunities offered by Zaporizhstal’s youth organisation, which brings employees together through sports, volunteer, cultural, and motivational initiatives.
“I was interested in visiting Zaporizhstal stand and learning more about opportunities for young people. I heard a great deal of useful information about education, placements, and employment, and also took part in the quest. For Zaporizhzhia, this is a clear and tangible prospect, which is why the topic appealed to me. I can see that there are genuine opportunities for development here,” said school student Mykyta Podkova.
Together with Metinvest Polytechnic, representatives of Zaporizhstal also presented participants with a comprehensive pathway—from choosing an education to building a career in metallurgy. Modern educational programmes, digital simulators, practical training at industrial sites, and flexible study formats make this pathway accessible and easy for young people to navigate. Further information on university admission, academic programmes, and opportunities for young people is available – at Metinvest Polytechnic website.
“Zaporizhzhia is a metallurgical city, so this topic is close to me. At the event, I learned more about the advantages of working at Zaporizhstal and began to consider it as a potential option for my future career. I was particularly interested in the programmes that can support education, placements, and career entry,” said school student Artur Karlenko.
Through direct engagement and real-life examples of career progression, school students were once again convinced that metallurgy today is not merely a profession, but an environment of opportunity—one where people are supported, trained, and empowered to build their future.
Further information on youth programmes and current vacancies at Zaporizhstal can be obtained from the company’s Human Resources Department: 72 Pivdenne Highway, Zaporizhzhia; tel. +38 067 545 36 74.