Today, choosing a profession is no longer about the question of "who I will become someday," but about how to start one's career right now. Young people are looking for education that provides practice, real-world experience, and clear prospects. With this message, the team from Metinvest Polytechnic visited Kryvyi Rih and Zaporizhzhia to show prospective students that modern engineering education can become a career starting point, a first workplace, and an opportunity to contribute to industrial and national transformation already while studying.
The ROAD SHOW format made it possible to engage directly with young people and discuss real career prospects, employer expectations, and how education can serve as a tool for rapid entry into a profession rather than a deferred investment in the future.
According to Vadym PUKHALSKYI, Head of the Development Department at Metinvest Polytechnic, this communication format is fundamental to the university:
"We deliberately come to young people to speak not in abstract terms about education, but about concrete opportunities such as practical training, a first job and career growth. Engineering professions today require motivated and conscious individuals, and our approach is to help young people understand, already at the stage of choosing a path, how knowledge is transformed into a profession and tangible results. We want applicants to know that engineering education is not a distant future, but a real start today."
Engineering as the foundation of modern industry
During the meetings, the university emphasised the role of engineers in the modern economy. Today, these specialists are responsible not only for technological processes, but also for production efficiency, safety, digitalisation, automation, and the sustainable development of enterprises.
Metinvest Polytechnic prepares a new generation of engineers capable of working with large-scale production systems and modern technologies, making decisions and taking responsibility for results. Such specialists are crucial to the recovery of Ukraine's industrial regions. Anyone can apply: the university offers educational programmes at all levels of higher education, as well as preparatory courses to ensure high-quality exam preparation. In previous years, Metinvest Polytechnic opened enrolment for "junior professional bachelor" programmes, allowing admission without the National Multidisciplinary Test and enabling students to acquire a vocational profession during their studies. The university's educational programmes are licensed by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and accredited by the National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance.
Education integrated with real production
The key distinction of Metinvest Polytechnic lies in its close integration with business. Educational programmes are developed with the participation of industrial experts and correspond to the current needs of the mining and metallurgical sector, energy, engineering, digital technologies, and occupational safety.
Practical training is a mandatory component of the educational process. The students undertake industrial internships at Metinvest's production sites in Kryvyi Rih, Zaporizhzhia, Kamianske. They work with real equipment and technologies, familiarise themselves with production processes and corporate standards. This approach shortens the path from the classroom to the workplace and supports the development of professional skills during study.
The learning format combines practical training with online lectures. Anton Podobnyi, a university student, noted that this approach is particularly valuable during power outages: "All lectures are available as recordings, which we can watch at a convenient time and revisit specific topics. This allows us to study effectively, without gaps in knowledge, and to master our chosen profession."
Career trajectory from the first year of study
During the ROAD SHOW, special attention was paid to career opportunities. A flexible learning format allows students to combine study with employment, while cooperation with Metinvest's enterprises provides access to internship, practical training, and first professional experience.
Daniil TYMOSHENKO shared his story of success with applicants: "In 2023, I stepped into a position of the deputy chief power engineer. I understood that to progress further in my career, I needed additional knowledge in metallurgy and management. I chose the 'Management of metallurgy modernisation' programme; over two years I gained not just a diploma, but a high-quality education that supports my professional advancement. Today, I am the acting chief power engineer at the coke-making plant at Zaporizhstal."
Employment is another key focus. The university students have the opportunity to start a career at the Group's enterprises and participate in Metinvest's incentive programmes.
Roman Liashenko, Chief Specialist of the Recruitment, Development, and Training Department at Zaporizhstal, said that the Group offers a wide range of social and youth development programmes. One of them is the "First Job" programme, which helps young professionals confidently start their careers through adaptation, training, mentoring support, and a bonus of up to UAH 50,000 during the first year of employment. In addition, there are programmes for students, including company-funded scholarships for those who complete internships at Metinvest's enterprises. This programme is currently implemented at Zaporizhstal.
Financial support and accessibility of education
The financial aspect of education is an integral part of the comprehensive educational and career model. Top-performing students can receive scholarships of up to UAH 10,000 in recognition of their academic and professional achievements.
Alongside the fee-paying study, the university offers company-sponsored education funded by Metinvest in priority areas of the mining and metallurgical industry. Under this model, tuition is fully covered by the Group, requiring no personal financial contribution from the student, while also providing a pathway to a first job.
International internship and global professional experience
The international dimension is a key element of the university's educational model. Metinvest Polytechnic students undertake international internships and practical placements at industrial enterprises abroad, including in Bulgaria, Italy, Austria, and Spain, working with modern technologies, and familiarising themselves with European production standards. This experience develops global professional thinking, expands career horizons, and enhances graduate competitiveness both in Ukraine and on the international labour market.
Women in engineering: a growing role and new opportunities
During the ROAD SHOW, special emphasis was given to encouraging young women to pursue engineering specialities. The proportion of female students at Metinvest Polytechnic continues to grow steadily. Women choose fields such as occupational safety, environmental technologies, digital solutions, production process management, mining and metallurgy – areas that shape modern industry and require systemic thinking and responsibility.
A good example of such a career path is Svitlana Cherviatiuk, who combines study with work and is already building a career in the mining sector at one of the Group's enterprises in Kryvyi Rih. During the meeting with applicants, she shared her personal experience, emphasising that combining education with practice provides a clear understanding of the profession, confidence in one's choice and opportunities for rapid professional growth.
Metinvest Polytechnic creates an environment of equal opportunities, where engineering education for women is not an exception, but a competitive advantage, offering access to career advancement and managerial roles in industry.
Engineering education as a contribution to the country's future
The ROAD SHOW in Kryvyi Rih and Zaporizhzhia demonstrated strong interest among young people in practical engineering education and clearly defined career pathways. Metinvest Polytechnic continues to engage with prospective students in the regions, shaping a new generation of engineers who will drive technological development, economic resilience, and the industrial recovery of Ukraine.
