Kryvyi Rih hosted the week-long "Career Fair 2026" – a large-scale career guidance event where high school students could get acquainted with educational opportunities, educational institutions and employment prospects.
One of the key locations was the presentation of Metinvest Group and Metinvest Polytechnic, a modern technical university created by big business to train engineers and specialists in demand in Ukrainian industry.
The event brought together thousands of young people who are now choosing their future professional path. The Technical University focused on combining education with practice, motivational and scholarship programmes, as well as employment prospects.
Education that molds professionals
Metinvest Polytechnic is a technical university that trains specialists for key industries: metallurgy, mining, energy, engineering, automation, computer technology and cybersecurity, business analytics and business management, ecotechnology and occupational safety. The modern educational model of the university combines not only the acquisition of theoretical knowledge, but also work on real production cases, internships and practice at enterprises in Ukraine and abroad.
The financial component of education is an important part of this model: the best students have the opportunity to receive scholarships of up to UAH 10,000, and some areas are fully funded by Metinvest Group. Alongside the fee-paying study, the university offers company-sponsored education funded by Metinvest in priority areas of the mining and metallurgical industry. In this format, education is fully funded by the company, without the need for students' own expenses, and combines education with the prospect of the first job.
An important component of the educational model is the international component: students undergo internships and practices at enterprises in Bulgaria, Italy, Austria, get acquainted with European production standards and work with modern technologies, which expands professional horizons and increases competitiveness in the labour market.
Modern engineering education as a contribution to the future of Ukraine
"By choosing the engineering profession, students of Metinvest Polytechnic receive not only knowledge, but also the opportunity to become future leaders of the Ukrainian industry. Our university combines theory with practice, gives you a chance to work on real production cases and forms the skills that a modern engineer needs. We strive for graduates to choose engineering areas, because they are the future of Ukraine, innovations and a strong economy of our country," said Vadym PUKHALSKYI, Head of the Development Department of Metinvest Polytechnic.
This message clearly resonated with the purpose of the event: show young people that engineering specialties are not only about their own prospects for building a successful career, but also about a real contribution to the development of the country.
Jobs, practice, and opportunities for students
At the university's location, teachers and team representatives introduced school students to the areas of study and explained how knowledge can be applied in practice. The school students had the opportunity to learn about key professions in the mining and metallurgical sector and ask questions directly to those who have already gone through the path of education and practice.
"We were told about technology and technical specialties. How to smooth metal with a press was clearly shown, and everything was clear. Although it was not the first time I heard it, the presentation was interesting," Viktoria ZINCHENKO, a student of Kryvyi Rih Gymnasium No. 86, shared her impressions.
The team of university teachers noted: Metinvest Polytechnic students combine theoretical training with practical skills, undergo internships at production sites and work with modern technologies with the support of the company's enterprises and international partners. A separate advantage is the flexible learning format: combining online classes with practical offline sessions. This model is convenient, allows you to get an education without interrupting your professional activity.
"Every year we go with bachelors, undergraduates and students of professional junior specialties directly to production. They get acquainted with technologies, perform laboratory tasks and work out production and business cases, using the example of a real enterprise. When they graduate, they are ready to work in their profession from the first day," explains Maksym SHTODA, Associate Professor of the Chair of Metallurgy and Innovative Technologies of Metinvest Polytechnic.
Motivational programmes and career start for young professionals
Along with the teachers, activists of the youth movement of Integrated Iron Ore and representatives of the Department for Recruitment, Adaptation and Development of Personnel of Metinvest Group communicated with high school students. Representatives of Metinvest said that the company currently has many social and development programmes for young people.
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.
"When you come to us, you immediately see what position you start with and what career opportunities open up for you in six months, a year or five years. We offer a clear trajectory of development within the company: even if you have a vocational education, you can get a related profession, study at our training centres or continue your education at Metinvest Polytechnic. If you have a desire to develop, you can become a manager and at the same time get a higher education. Therefore, we invite young people to join us to develop and build a career together," said Inna OSHEKA, Head of Vocational Training at Metinvest Group.
