Olha Plias is the first woman from Zaporizhzhia, who was recognised with Metinvest's highest award – the Gold Star.
The award is presented to the best employees for their personal contribution to developing the enterprise and Metinvest Group, involvement in key production processes, active civic engagement, volunteering, etc. It happens every year on the occasion of Metallurgist and Miner's Day.
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In total, since the establishment of the Gold Star of Metinvest, 297 employees of the company have received the award.
This year, Olha Plias, head of the grinding section in the magnesia products shop at Zaporizhvognetryv, was recognised with the highest award. She received the recognition from Yuriy Ryzhenkov, CEO of Metinvest, in the presence of her colleagues.
"Olha has more than twenty years of experience, has trained dozen of specialists, and has been involved in improving the quality of refractories for our steelmaking equipment. She is a responsible manager, a well-educated expert, and a sensitive person whom you can rely on," said Artur IVANCHENKO, General Director of Zaporizhvognetryv.
Being the best version of yourself
Olha Plias's career at Zaporizhvognetryv began with a simple, but very important job as a dryer. Due to her persistence, desire for development, and experience, she subsequently become a shift foreman, and then the head of the grinding section in the magnesia products shop.
"At each position, I tried to develop what I already knew, whilst simultaneously developing my work in that role. This helps to maintain interest in the job and skill improvement. So to speak, to become the best version of myself, and not compare myself with others," said Olha Plias.
Over 22 years of work, Olha has proven herself to be a true leader. She became a mentor to dozens of employees, particularly to young specialists, who had just started their career at the enterprise. Her support and advice helped them to adapt much faster, and develop themselves in the roles of dryer, crusher, and mill operator.
Olha pays special attention to safety issues and monitors for the environmental compliance and production standards. She also initiates measures for resource saving.
One of Olha's most important projects was the commissioning of the grinding section's equipment in energy-efficient mode. This project allows the enterprise to save up to 5,000 kW of electricity (over UAH 27,000) and up to 1,000 m3 of natural gas (over UAH 16,000) monthly.
Olha has participated numerous times in sports competitions in athletics and volleyball, and won prizes as part of the Zaporizhvognetryv team.
Being support for others
From the first days of the full-scale invasion, Olha, as a volunteer, has supported the military and internally displaced persons, uniting and motivating people around her. The team values the specialist for her expertise, openness in communication, leadership, and deep understanding of production processes.
"Olha is involved in many projects, particularly in the creation of an automated feedstock accounting system and improvement of product quality. Olha serves as an example of how through work, initiative, and responsibility you can not only build a successful career, but also make a significant contribution to production development and team building," said Ruslan KRAVCHENKO, Deputy Head of the Magnesia Products Shop at Zaporizhvognetryv.
Olha says that she and her colleagues from Zaporizhvognetryv will continue to work conscientiously as before. And the Gold Star of Metinvest will only provide further motivation for new achievements.
"For me this award is not only pleasant recognition, but also a great honour. I am grateful to the management for their assessment of my work, and to my colleagues for their support, trust, and daily teamwork. Everything that was achieved is the result of joint efforts, everyone's responsibility, and the desire to become better. This recognition motivates me to work even harder in order to deliver results, and share my experience with those who are only starting their career," noted Olha Plias, Head of the Grinding Section in the Magnesia Products Shop at Zaporizhvognetryv.
