Oleh Davydenko, Director of Corporate Communications Department at Metinvest Group, spoke about the role of the employer in the adaptation, reintegration and socialisation of veterans to civilian life at the HR Wisdom Summit 2024, held in Kyiv on 17 of July.
The event brought together top managers, HRDs, and HR specialists from leading Ukrainian businesses to share their experience in adapting their HR processes to the new labor market conditions. One of the key topics was the implementation of veteran programs and the creation of an inclusive work environment. Representatives of Kyivstar, Raiffeisen Bank, Astarta-Kyiv, Nestle, the "How Are You, Brother?" volunteer project, and Metinvest Group took part in the panel discussion.
According to Oleh Davydenko, Director of Corporate Communications Department, every sixth Metinvest employee has been mobilized to join the Ukraine's defense forces. One thousand defenders have already returned from the frontline and started working for the company in various regions, where the Group's enterprises operate. To help them adapt to civilian life as quickly as possible, Metinvest has created an ecosystem based on several principles.
"Working with veterans is the responsibility of everyone: from the General Director to the direct manager and colleagues who work alongside them every day. This is the first thing. The second is absolute consistency. We are not implementing individual projects, something special for veterans. We are creating a system in which demobilized employees will feel comfortable working. That is, Metinvest is adapting all its business processes to the return of defenders, but at the same time creating a culture of equal opportunities to unite teams rather than divide them," said Oleh DAVYDENKO.
Metinvest currently has more than 4,000 vacancies available and is ready to hire veterans, both demobilized employees, and people from the market. For the company, this is an opportunity to address the staff shortage, support Ukraine's defenders and their families, and strengthen its teams. After all, veterans acquire new hard and soft skills after completing military service.
FACT
Metinvest focuses on the social and professional adaptation of veterans. The work with veterans starts when they are still serving in the Defense Forces: Metinvest provides its soldiers with gear, takes care of their families, and keeps in touch with the defenders.
Oleh Davydenko stressed that the system of work with veterans should be based on their needs.
"At the stage when Metinvest had 500 more demobilized veterans, we conducted a survey. This allowed us to find out what problems and requests are most important for veterans and what we, as an employer, can do for them. Almost 60% of respondents said that one of their priorities was training. This means either retraining, which can be completed on-site in 3-6 months, or new education. And Metinvest Polytechnic University is ready to help, offering preferential enrollment. This year, we have already received 15 requests from veterans who want to become students of the mining and metallurgical university.
In addition, the company introduces additional medical examinations and psychological support for defenders, trains teams to interact with former military personnel through the Heroes Among Us program, and supports the creation of veteran communities.
The HR Wisdom Summit 2024 also featured an award ceremony for the winners of the Best Employers of Ukraine 2024 rating according to the TOP-100. Ratings of the largest magazine. Metinvest Group became one of the winners in the Best Veterans' Adaptation Program nomination.
