Metinvest has organised an orientation tour for Ukrainian students studying abroad at Spartan UK, a Metinvest Group enterprise in Newcastle (United Kingdom). This visit to the production facility is part of the Steel Force internship programme for young people.
Steel Force is a new internship initiative for students from Ukraine who are currently pursuing higher education at universities in the United Kingdom. The goal of the programme is to provide young people with opportunities for personal and professional development within an international company, and to involve them in projects that are important for the recovery and growth of Ukraine and its business sector.
“At all times, people have been Metinvest’s greatest asset. We recognize that young people are the future of our company and the future of the entire country. That’s why, through the Steel Force internship programme, we aim to support young Ukrainians, help them gain valuable experience, and maintain their connection with Ukraine — contributing to its rebuilding and future development,” said Tetiana PETRUK, Director of Sustainable Development and People Management, Metinvest Group.
At the first stage of the programme, participants were divided into teams that, with the support of mentors — company leaders from various levels — are working on real business cases. These focus on positioning Metinvest as a European steel producer, implementing investment projects, developing a universal concept for Ukraine’s reconstruction (“Steel Dream”), encouraging young people to return to the country, and promoting employment opportunities at Metinvest enterprises.
To ensure participants are well-prepared for their projects, Metinvest is hosting a series of educational workshops, leadership meetings with senior executives, and team-building activities. For example, to help students better understand the company, Metinvest organized a visit to Spartan UK, its rolling mill located in Newcastle.
During the visit, students had the opportunity to engage with senior leadership, including Tetiana Petruk, Metinvest’s Director of Sustainable Development and People Management and Michael Briley, CEO of Spartan UK. In addition to business discussions, both leaders shared personal stories about their career journeys, leadership experiences, and overcoming challenges in uncertain times.
Students also toured the plant itself and learned about its strategic role within the Metinvest Group. Spartan UK specializes in producing hot-rolled plate and is the only manufacturer of this product in the United Kingdom. The plant’s annual production capacity is approximately 200,000 tonnes.
STEEL FORCE
The idea for the internship programme came from Metinvest CEO Yuriy Ryzhenkov following a conversation with students from the Ukrainian Society at King’s College London. To promote Steel Force and attract talented young people, Metinvest executives held a series of meetings at universities across the United Kingdom. They introduced students to the company and spoke about the challenges of leadership and management in the context of the war in Ukraine.
The first phase of the Steel Force programme will run until the end of June. After presenting their business cases to the company’s leadership, selected students will be invited to take part in a three-month internship at Metinvest Group enterprises in countries where the company operates. In addition, the most promising project ideas will be considered for further implementation within Metinvest.
