Opportunities for Ukrainian youth during the war: 33 students became participants of the DTEK Grids “Dual education” project
DTEK Grids “Dual education” project is designed for students of 2-4 years of study in the specialized universities, studying in the specialty “Energy Industry”. Participants of the project study under the special system, where 40% of time is allocated to the university-based study, and 60% - to the internship in real production conditions. The project provides students with an opportunity to simultaneously study and work in their specialty, which is a significant support for the youth in modern conditions of martial law in the country.
“People are the main resource and competitive value of the company. DTEK Grids provides support to its employees, helps them reveal their potential and fulfil themselves in their profession, and supports talented youth that only plans to become energy workers. What is the student’s biggest dream? Not to be unemployed after completion of study. The past few years have been difficult for the Ukrainian youth. They were practically deprived of opportunities for normal education first due to Covid19 and quarantine restrictions, and then due to the full-scale war. Our “Dual education” project is precisely about the students’ employment prospects, — told Ihor Vovk, head of the HR department at DTEK Grids. – We have been implementing it since 2019 in partnership with specialized educational establishments. 311 students completed their internship over the course of 5 years. More than half of them – 161 students, have been employed in the company. Despite the war, we did not suspend the project, on the contrary: since its beginning we have employed 69 dual students. They work as engineers, electricians, controllers, customer service specialists, etc. In the new academic year, we cooperate with 14 specialized universities in the city of Kyiv and in Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions and we took 33 students into the project.”
Participants of the “Dual education” project are officially employed during internship and get all social guarantees. Each of them signs a tripartite agreement for dual education, and fixed-term employment contract. In order to participate in the “Dual education” project, a student should be studying in a specialty related to power engineering, attending 2-4 year of study at one of the educational institutions that concluded an agreement with DTEK Grids. Then, all he has to do is fill in the form and qualify. A professional mentor is assigned to each student, who guides him at all stages of the practical part of the training.
“In the University, students study books to learn how to service the substations. While here at the enterprise, we use our power facilities as an example to tell them how it is done. This is the main advantage of dual education – immediate consolidation of acquired knowledge in practice. After studying and participating in the “Dual education” project, the youth know equipment and safe work rules well, understand the energy situation and have no problems with employment,” – told Oleksandr Radzyvilchuk, DTEK Kyiv Grids foreman, mentor of dual students.
The company is interested in professional training of future energy workers, who will replace the specialists that are currently guarding the energy front. As it will be required to not only restore what was destroyed by the enemy, but to also create a new energy infrastructure – a foundation for recovery of Ukraine and economy. Therefore, business works on the principles of equality, sustainable development and establishment of barrier-free conditions for the study of future energy workers.
“Since the beginning of a full-scale war, energy workers are holding the energy front and I am proud that I chose this profession. A lot depends on us today — country’s development and normal life of Ukrainians in these difficult conditions. I believe that we will not only repair power equipment, but also build modern Smart Grids. And I am glad that I will be able to be part of the team making every effort for this,” – Andrii Zakonov, DTEK Kyiv Grids electrical fitter and graduate of the “Dual education” project, shared his experience.
DTEK is a signee of the UN Global Compact and “Dual education” project directly complies with this document’s goals. In particular, goal No.4, which provides an opportunity for everyone to get a quality education. And goal No.8, which declares economic growth and the right to a decent salary. Such programs support talented Ukrainian youth, especially now. Additionally, they are aimed at not only restorations after hostilities, but also at a long-term perspective and development of Ukraine. DTEK Grids is a member of “Business without barriers” community and “Dual education” project is among the best cases at the state portal for entrepreneurs “Diia.Business”. The project is recognized as a successful example of creating opportunities for study and employment for Ukrainian youth during the full-scale war.