Metinvest organised an excursion for Ukrainian students studying abroad to Spartan UK, an enterprise of the Group in Newcastle (the United Kingdom). The visit to the production facility is part of the Steel Force internship programme for youth.

Steel Force is a new programme for students from Ukraine who are currently pursuing higher education in the United Kingdom. Its goal is to provide young people with opportunities for development and career building in an international company, and engage them in projects that are relevant to the development of Ukraine and Ukrainian business.

"At all times, Metinvest's greatest asset has been its people. We understand that youth is the future of our company and the entire country. Therefore, by implementing the Steel Force internship programme, we aim to provide support to young Ukrainians, help them gain valuable experience and maintain their connection with Ukraine, contributing to its recovery and development," stated Tetiana PETRUK, Chief Sustainability Officer of Metinvest Group.

At the first stage of the programme, participants were divided into teams which, with the support of mentors – company managers from various levels – work on business cases concerning Metinvest's positioning as a European steelmaking company, implementing investment projects, creating a universal concept for Ukraine's reconstruction called "Steel Dream," bringing young people back to the country, and employment at Metinvest's enterprises.

For successful work on projects, Metinvest conducts training workshops, leadership meetings with management, and team-building events for the participants. For example, in order to familiarise students more closely with the company, Metinvest organised a tour to Spartan UK, the company's re-rolling plant in Newcastle.

The students had an opportunity to speak with top management, in particular, with the Chief Sustainability Officer of Metinvest Tetiana Petruk and the General Director of Spartan UK Michael Briley. Beyond work-related matters, the managers shared stories of their own career paths, leadership experiences, and overcoming contemporary challenges with the young students.

Also, students visited the production facility of the enterprise and learned about its role within the Group. Spartan UK produces hot-rolled plates and is the only manufacturer of this product in the UK. Production capacity of the plant is approximately 200,000 tonnes of rolled products per year.

"Seeing all the production processes live was incredibly useful. It helped me understand the specifics of the metallurgical industry more deeply and provided many insights for our team's business case work," said Eduard PANCHUK, student of City, University of London.

After the tour, with support from Olena DAVYD, Managing Partner of Ascendis Ukraine, an "Everest" business game was conducted for students, highlighting the importance of effective communication and cooperation in business.

"The 'Everest' business game proved to be an interesting challenge, where you needed not just to achieve your goals, but also consider team interaction, risks, and limited resources. Olena Davyd allowed us to experience decision-making under difficult conditions in a completely new way. A particularly valuable lesson was understanding how crucial strategy, communication, and trust within the team are. It was a real simulation of an actual working environment," noted Ania VASYLYK, student at King’s College London.

"My introduction to the company began with Tetiana Petruk's presentation at our university. Her speech made a strong impression on me. The most memorable thing was how the company cares for people, supports Ukraine, and our defenders. Of course, there were a lot of factors that influenced my choice, but the ultimate factor was the employees' motivation and their genuine enthusiasm for their work. It was precisely this atmosphere that became the decisive factor in choosing this programme, because, in my opinion, this is usually a marker of a successful company!" said Anastasiia ZHUK, student at University of Bristol.

"Metinvest is not just the largest private company in Ukraine. When searching for an internship programme, the key factors for me were the company's values, which align with mine. I was looking for an employer who actively participates in Ukraine's reconstruction, who practically supports our army during the toughest times, and implements large-scale social initiatives. Seeing this responsibility towards Ukraine and its future was the decisive factor in my choice," shared Anastasiia KORKINA, student at University of Aberdeen.

Steel Force's first stage will last until the end of June. After presenting business cases to the company's management, students will be selected to undergo three-month internships at the Group's enterprises in countries where it operates. Moreover, the best projects will be considered for further implementation at Metinvest.