Lecturers from Metinvest Polytechnic took part in the Forbes Industrialists’ Forum, which brought together leading figures from the sector – company owners, senior executives, bankers, and government officials. At the heart of the discussions were the key challenges facing industry: from the relocation of production facilities and financing of new shops to educational challenges, the search for new models of cooperation with the state, and engaging the younger generation.
One of the central topics was the training of technical specialists at universities and the acute shortage of skilled personnel across the sector. Natalia Volodchenkova, Dean of the Mining and Metallurgical Department at Metinvest Polytechnic, noted:
"Due to the war and the outflow of young people, production facilities are facing a severe shortage of specialists – particularly those with hands-on skills. Business feels this acutely and is therefore ready to invest in education: it donates modern equipment to universities, establishes youth centres, and supports colleges. The main thing is the willingness to work together and to develop dual education programmes that allow students to acquire knowledge and immediately apply it in practice."
According to the lecturer, this is precisely where Metinvest Polytechnic offers unique solutions: The university’s programmes are practice-oriented, flexible, and capable of adapting to the specific needs of individual enterprises. "We are creating conditions in which students can begin working in production while still studying. Metinvest Group, in turn, offers employment and support programmes – including "First Job" programme. This is not merely education – it is a genuine starting point for a career," Natalia VOLODCHENKOVA emphasised.
Professor Ivan SAKHNO, Head of the Mining Chair, added that he was particularly impressed by the open atmosphere of the forum:
"I heard ideas that inspire. We often assume that business operates in a world of its own. Yet, it turns out to grapple with the same challenges as education. I was struck by how entrepreneurs mention about the acute shortage of skilled personnel. Today, the shortage of engineers has become a national-level challenge – one that no university, nor even the most successful company, can resolve on its own. An even greater challenge lies in the weak foundation students receive in mathematics, physics and chemistry. Unless the standards in the natural sciences are raised, we risk losing the future of engineering education."
"Business is already thinking in sustainable terms. This, in turn, motivates us in education to maintain a rapid pace of change," says Ivan Sakhno, professor at Metinvest Polytechnic.
He also noted that Ukrainian business is steadily advancing towards sustainable development: "We are not on the sidelines of global trends. Business is already thinking in sustainable terms. This also motivates us in education to keep up the pace of change."
“Metinvest Polytechnic is responding to the modern challenges. The university has introduced a junior bachelor's level programme that enables students to quickly acquire a vocational qualification, while retaining the option to continue their studies at the bachelor's or master's level. "This is our contribution to the revival of industry and to training the staff that will drive the country’s modernisation and growth," emphasised Nataliya Volodchenkova.
For Metinvest Polytechnic, participation in the Industrialists’ Forum became a platform for dialogue with the business community – reinforcing a central idea: Partnership between education and industry is the only viable path to overcoming the staff shortage and equipping the industry of the future with qualified engineers.
