Zaporizhzhcoke and other Metinvest enterprises in Zaporizhzhia have a program for working with young people, which includes mentoring support and bonus payments.
Evgeniy Potapenko
Electrician of Coke Shop of Zaporizhzhcoke Evgeniy POTAPENKO has been working at the enterprise for 33 years: He started as an electrical fitter, and now he is responsible for the electrical equipment of the key shop of the enterprise. In addition to being responsible for the smooth operation of the units, Evgeniy takes care of the team, especially young people who are just mastering this profession.
"The main thing is not just to work, but also to ensure the continuity of generations – this is one of the main pillars of our enterprise. No one will teach how to do the work better than someone who has practiced it for many years. When I was an inexperienced newcomer, I also had a mentor who introduced me to the profession, taught me what I knew, instilled a love for this work. I still remember his instructions and pass them on to young workers," says Evgeniy.
Evgeniy Potapenko is now a mentor for two young electricians. He taught them the basics of the profession when they were just students, during industrial practice in Zaporizhzhcoke. The guys proved to be capable of learning and persistent, so after practice they received job offers and joined the team of coke & chemicals workers.
"At the first steps into the profession, young people need support – both professional and ordinary advice. When they are confident in their actions, feel part of the team, learn new things, they are interested, they succeed – it gives confidence. And when they still feel a friendly shoulder, the support of colleagues, they open up even more," says Evgeniy Potapenko.
Oleksandr Ikonyak
One of the significant bonuses for young people who choose Zaporizhcoke or another Metinvest enterprise after graduating from an educational institution is the "First Workplace" bonus program. It provides for the payment of an additional remuneration to an employed graduate, in addition to salary and bonus pay, – UAH 50 ths during a year of work, subject to compliance with health and safety rules and the absence of disciplinary violations.
Young electricians of Coke Shop - Oleksandr Ikonyak and Oleksandr Tymkiv took part in this motivational program. During the year, in addition to salaries and bonus pays, they received an additional UAH 50 ths. But they say that money, although pleasant, is not the main incentive in work.
"I chose Zaporizhcoke as my first workplace because I had an internship here, mastered the profession. The work is not monotonous, but various, there are many new tasks that are interesting to solve," says Oleksandr IKONYAK.
Oleksandr Tymkiv
The guys say they are inspired by their mentor – Evgeniy Potapenko. Thanks to his advice, they went to study at a higher educational institution.
"The team is also a very important factor for me, because it is always more pleasant to work among like-minded people. There are many professionals from whom you can learn, there are colleagues with whom you have already become friends. And the profession of an electrical fitter is interesting, so now I continue to study at the university," says Oleksandr TYMKIV, an electrical fitter of Zaporizhzhcoke Coke Shop.
Metinvest's motivational program "First Workplace" was launched in May 2024. During this time, only at the Zaporizhzhia enterprises of the company, 122 young specialists have joined it.
"I have already received payment under the program, since I have been working at the enterprise for a year. This is a nice bonus to the salary and motivation to continue to work well and develop in the profession. When the enterprise believes in you and supports you, you need to respond in kind," says Oleksandr Tymkiv.
In addition to the "First Workplace" program, the enterprise has a wide range of tools for attracting young people: career guidance in educational institutions, various programmes aimed at unlocking the potential of young employees and their professional growth, corporate educational projects, adaptation of new employees, programmes to support the initiatives of young professionals in the social and public spheres of the enterprise's activities.
