180 Young Specialists Choose Metinvest Enterprises in Zaporizhzhia as Their First Job and Receive a Cash Bonus.
Kirill PISHCHENKO is 21 years old. He works as a process engineer in the Quality Control Department at Zaporizhstal. He first became acquainted with the company during his studies.
"It was on the advice of my lecturers that I came to the plant, where I undertook my industrial internship. I enjoyed my experience at Zaporizhstal: the work is engaging, the team is highly experienced, yet no one treats young employees condescendingly. Whenever you need support or guidance, there is always someone ready to provide an answer. Therefore, after completing his internship, he joined the plant as a full-time employee. My responsibilities include receiving incoming raw materials, particularly refractory products, and ensuring that their actual quality matches the declared specifications," says Kirill.
The first weeks at the plant were spent under the guidance of an experienced mentor, recalls the young specialist. Together with his production mentor, he learned the fundamentals of the profession.
"I do not work in the hot shops where steel is produced, yet my role directly influences the performance of steelmakers in the open-hearth shop. That is why I carefully inspect each batch to ensure that my colleagues work only with high-quality materials. When you work at a large enterprise like Zaporizhstal, you feel both the responsibility and the significance of your role. After all, it is impossible to imagine the modern world without steel – and therefore without the teams who produce it," adds the employee of Zaporizhstal.
Today, Kirill combines his work at the plant with his university studies. What helps him manage everything is not only good time management, but also the support of experienced colleagues.
"We have been working together for a year now, and from the very beginning, his eagerness to grow and learn was clearly evident. He quickly integrated into both the work and the team, consistently demonstrating initiative and a genuine interest in his role. It is truly valuable when the team is joined by such ambitious and promising young professionals. This specialist has already proven himself in his role, and I am confident that his greatest achievements are still ahead," says Kirill’s colleague, Lead Engineer Maksym KOZLOV.
He joined the team during the first year of the motivational programme 'First Job', which is designed to support young people in building their careers at Metinvest enterprises. The programme is aimed at graduates of vocational schools, colleges, technical institutions, and universities who have no prior work experience. By starting their careers at Zaporizhstal, Zaporizhcoke, Zaporizhvohnetriv, and Zaporizhzhia Casting and Mechanical Works immediately after graduation, young people receive a cash bonus of UAH 50,000 in addition to their salary and bonuses during their first year of employment.
During the first year of the programme, 180 young specialists joined the teams of Metinvest’s enterprises in Zaporizhzhia. These bonuses are paid quarterly and have already reached a total of UAH 4 million. The most in-demand roles among young specialists include repair technicians, electric welders, electricians, assistant locomotive drivers, and crane operators in steelmaking production.
The programme also provides mentorship, additional on-the-job training, social benefits, and engagement in corporate youth projects.
Every year, over 500 students pursuing vocational, professional, or higher education undergo introductory, production, and pre-graduation internships at Metinvest's enterprises. The most promising participants are offered paid internships and job opportunities.
