In total, the Halchenko family has devoted almost 130 years to Zaporizhstal.

Mother, father and son are an inseparable trio of steelworkers from the Halchenko family of Zaporizhstal's cold rolling shop who love their jobs. Oleksandr Halchenko, the head of the family, has been working in the cold rolling shop for almost 30 years. He started working at the steelworks as a young professional, following the advice of his parents who were steelworkers. Now Oleksandr is convinced: making steel has become his life's work.

"I have been working in this field for a very long time, at this enterprise, and I love and respect my job. At my workplace, I receive steel from the warehouse, inspect it for defects and stack it. My parents once guided me in my career choice, and I am very grateful to them for that to this day," says Oleksandr.

Later, Vladlena, the rolling mill operator's wife, started working at the enterprise as a quality inspector in the technical control department of the cold rolling shop.

"My husband was already working at the steelworks when I joined Zaporizhstal's team. I purposefully pursued this area of study because I wanted to work with him. And this year I am celebrating my 20th anniversary at Zaporizhstal," says Vladlena HALCHENKO.

Vladlena and Oleksandr have been together for 27 years, and seven years ago, the Halchenko couple's son Artur followed in their footsteps. A stable salary and benefits package, reliability and protection, and support from the steelworks are decisive factors when choosing a first job.

"After school, I decided to learn the profession of a quality inspector and laboratory chemist, and after graduation, I immediately got a job at Zaporizhstal. I am currently working as a thermal furnace charging operator at the cold rolling shop, which is an interesting and responsible job. My parents and I help and consult each other, and I am constantly learning something new, striving to grow professionally, and I am sure that I will continue my career in steelmaking," recalls Artur.

The total length of service of the Halchenko dynasty is 127 years. Steelworkers say that mutual understanding and support are the core family values. Even at the workplace, all the Halchenkos are together because they work the same shift. The close-knit family of steelworkers is sharing how they celebrated New Year's Eve 2024 together as a family tradition and made a wish all Ukrainians can relate to.

"I wish everyone Victory and peace, because if there is no peace, there will be nothing," said Oleksandr HALCHENKO.