A close-knit, efficient team is the key to successful production. One of the priorities for subdivision managers is integrating new employees into the team as quickly as possible, fostering an environment of mutual trust, responsibility, and support. Recently, the BOF Shop and Blast Furnace Shop have held ‘no-tie’ meetings between newly hired employees and their managers.

Kamet Steel has held the first meetings in a new format as part of a programme that has been rolled out across Metinvest Group’s enterprises since November 2024. The main purpose of such communication is to facilitate the adaptation of newly hired employees and establish a positive emotional connection with their managers to support and motivate them.

For instance, Denys Yeskov, head of the BOF Shop, welcomed his new colleagues into his office, effortlessly easing their initial discomfort with his trademark hospitality and open conversation. He started by sharing a candid account of his background, career path, education, and, naturally, the tasks and challenges currently faced by the company’s steelmakers.

In return, the participants eagerly shared their stories. Each one had a story of their own to tell: some joined Kamet Steel through the First Job programme, others found stability here after facing professional setbacks, and some decided to continue their career at Metinvest's enterprise after being forced to flee their homes and workplaces because of the war. Everyone is currently engaged in training or internships at the BOF Shop in their respective professions, and there have been no complaints about the level of guidance provided by mentors or line managers.

Subsequent discussions were marked by trust and dynamic interaction. It turned out that, within the first few months of work, most of the "newcomers" had already developed constructive questions about the organisation, working conditions, opportunities for further professional development, and many more. Most of the questions were answered on the spot, while others will be personally followed up by the managers.

At the same time, most new employees assured that they have valuable expertise to contribute, having learned additional professions and acquired new skills and knowledge in the past, which they are eager to apply at Kamet Steel. Mykyta Kriukov, a teacher at the BOF Shop who also attended the meeting, reassured colleagues that their experience would be valued and encouraged them to continue learning new and related professions and to seize professional and career opportunities offered by Kamet Steel and the company.

As a memento of the interesting meeting, the participants took a joint photo.

Denys YESKOV, head of the BOF Shop:

– Currently, the staffing issue in the shop is one of the priorities. To uphold a high level of professionalism of the BOF Shop team, it is crucial to ensure that new employees are new employees are swiftly and effectively integrated into their roles. Such meetings are a very effective tool for adaptation, helping to establish a personal emotional connection with employees who are just starting out on the shop floor. As employees become more quickly engaged with the tasks and goals of the subdivision, I, as a manager, can build more effective collaboration with their line managers and mentors by receiving the relevant information directly from the new employees.

Andrii MOROZ, a steel casting operator intern at the CCM department:

– It's been almost a month since I joined the shop, having previously worked at Pokrovske Colliery. At Kamet Steel, I have decided to master the profession of steel casting operator, and I am now in the process of familiarising myself with the CCM equipment, the specifics of work and safety requirements, as well as the team I will be working alongside. This informal meeting with the shop manager has made a very positive impression. I believe that such meeting are essential as they bring the production team and its leader together into a cohesive team, allowing us to swiftly address inevitable challenges and complete our collective tasks with greater success.