REN Youth Day: the results of a study on the work of companies with graduates

The Organizing Committee of the CASE-IN International Engineering Championship conducted a survey on the work of companies with graduates of schools and universities, the practices of selecting and attracting students of engineering and technical specialties to companies in the real sector of the economy.  

The results of the research were presented and discussed at the round table "A student and his first job in the Fuel and energy Complex" as part of the Youth Day of the International Forum "Russian Energy Week". The round table was attended by representatives of industrial companies and students of specialized universities. The meeting was moderated by the State Secretary and Deputy Minister of Energy of Russia Anastasia Bondarenko and Deputy Director of the Reliable Change Foundation Olga Zubok.

"The Round Table and the Youth Day as a whole have become an effective platform bringing together employers, students, and young professionals – all those who are interested in the development of the industry. A student and his first job in the fuel and energy sector is an important topic for us. The research conducted by the CASE-IN team provided food for thought and many interesting results that will help shape the future vector of companies' work with human resources," noted Anastasia Bondarenko.

The participants of the round table discussed the work of companies with universities and students, graduates of schools, and also shared the practices of selecting and attracting engineering students to the company.  

Victoria Pak, Deputy Director of the Department of Personnel Management and Organizational Development at PJSC RusHydro, believes that students' choice of a future profession is influenced by parents and teachers, as well as the environment in which they are raised.

"RusHydro currently operates 11 energy classes in the regions where the company operates. 87% of their graduates enroll in our university courses of study, - Victoria Pak said. – We also hold an Olympiad among schoolchildren, the winners of which receive additional points upon admission to partner universities. I think that thanks to the work being done, the guys can quite consciously choose their future university and specialty."

The majority of young people surveyed believe that winners of Olympiads (39%), children of employees of industry companies (18%) and winners of youth federal projects (9%) have the best chances of entering a university.

 "Yes, thermal power engineering is not as attractive in the eyes of students as, for example, nuclear power, Oksana Kritikova, Head of the Department for the Development of Corporate culture and brand of the employer of PJSC T Plus, shared her opinion. – Therefore, T Plus conducts all kinds of events for future applicants, in the framework of which it explains what the thermal power industry is. For example, our young specialists have come up with a game in which participants must develop a heating plant, bring it to social facilities and maintain its functioning. Thus, we tell schoolchildren about the diversity and the important social significance of energy."

PJSC T Plus is confident that the majority of graduates consciously join the company.

"We are conducting a study of the company's attractiveness as an employer and interviewing employees who have worked for more than three months. The data obtained shows that highly motivated young people come to us.", - Oksana Kritikova is sure.

When applying to a university, most applicants have an idea of their future profession, says Bayrta Perveeva, Director of Personnel Management at JSC System Operator of the Unified Energy System.

"Many schoolchildren today take a proactive position when choosing their future specialty, participating in open days, career guidance events organized by enterprises, universities and public organizations. As an effective example, I would like to cite the Reliable Shift Energy Group project for students in grades 10-11. In addition to studying specialized subjects - mathematics, physics and computer science - participants take the course "Introduction to the specialty". Energy groups help students get to know energy and make an informed choice in favor of this profession.", - noted Bayrta Perveeva.

When working with future personnel, the System Operator focuses on offline events.

"During student Olympiads, conferences and other events, we talk about our vacancies. Our specialized master's degree programs at universities, the organization of targeted training, and information zones at universities give young people an understanding of what awaits them in our company and how they can develop with us.", - emphasized Bayrta Perveeva.

The study showed that company executives believe that it is easiest for schoolchildren and students to get information about a future employer by participating in career guidance events. At the same time, young people themselves consider the Internet to be a priority source.

"Young people tell companies that they need to actively develop social networks and focus on timely feedback on incoming requests on the Internet., - said Olga Sadovaya, Head of the Personnel Planning and Training Department, Director of the Personnel Training Center at Raspadskaya Coal Company LLC. – But at the same time, do not forget about live communication, in which students and schoolchildren can get first-hand information by communicating directly with the employer. The effectiveness of this approach is confirmed by the REN Youth Day."

The majority of fuel and energy companies have implemented targeted student education, according to research data. One of the companies where work with university students is put on stream is PJSC ROSSETI.

"The targeted form of training allows the company to get a well-trained specialist motivated to work in the industry. It is an effective way to select specialists and solves the issues of personnel shortage in regions where the labor market is underdeveloped.", - Daria Borisova, Director of Personnel Management and Organizational Development at PJSC Federal Grid Company – ROSSETI, emphasized.

At the same time, she believes that this form of education, despite its effectiveness, requires changes due to the current challenges of the time.

An important motivating factor for future specialists when choosing a future internship and employment place is the scholarship program, which is supported by 67% of the surveyed companies.

Tatyana Merzlyakova, Deputy Director General for Personnel Management and Social Policy at PJSC YATEK: "When working with the personnel reserve, we primarily give preference to target students, as well as the children of YATEK employees, as they are familiar with the company and share its values, adapted to the climatic and social conditions of the region. We are confident that certain resources invested in them will have a positive effect in the future."

But this does not mean that the company does not pay attention to applicants from other regions, Tatyana Merzlyakova assured.: "Come to us for an internship and stay in the regions where the company operates, there will be a workplace for everyone."

At the end of the meeting, the students asked questions to the heads of fuel and energy companies.

Answering a question about the prospects of internships in large fuel and energy companies, Daria Borisova stressed: "Bright-eyed professionals involved in the profession will always have a chance to prove themselves, regardless of economic, social or other circumstances. At ROSSETI, we are actively developing international cooperation, so we are waiting for students from other countries. A charismatic leader is distinguished by his unique experience gained in extreme situations. Therefore, do not be afraid to go for internships and work in the Kuril Islands or in other remote regions of our country."

Broadcast of the round table "A student and his first job in the fuel and energy complex" - on the Roscongress website.

Let's add that in June 2023, on the sidelines of the SPIEF Youth Day, participants Energodebatov "Career and development of a young specialist in companies in the real sector of the economy: today and tomorrow" We reviewed the results of a study of corporate youth policy in leading Russian companies. The Organizing Committee of the CASE-IN championship interviewed specialists from ALROSA, MHC EuroChem, SIBUR Holding, Russian Railways, Rosatom State Corporation, SO UES and Gazprom Neft, as well as 150 young specialists. The results of the discussion can be found at the link.