OREANDA-NEWS. March 4, 2009. One of ZiO-Podolsk's priorities is to implement a programme to attract and keep its professional staff. At present, the plant employs around 4,700 people. It has plans to increase this number to 4,900 in order to fulfil contracts for the nuclear power industry. The plant's top managers are hoping to attract young, recently graduated specialists. For this purpose, they are working in cooperation with the main educational institutions, and are introducing upgrading courses designed for recent graduates. 

In spite of the economic crisis, the plant's produce continues to be very much in demand in the conventional energy industry. It is producing equipment for the Bovanenkovo-Ukhta and Nord Stream gas pipelines, recovery boilers for Mosenergo (TETs-26 and TETs-27 heat and power stations) and for waste-management plants; the plant is also contracted for production in the defence industry.

On his visit to the plant, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin inspected the machinery department producing the equipment for the BN-800 nuclear reactor for the Beloyarsk NPP, and component parts for the repairs of the BN-600 reactor. Director Boris Vasilyev told Mr Putin that the plant has been increasing its production despite the current economic difficulties.

Mr Vasilyev said that unlike many other enterprises the plant is introducing more vacancies, rather than laying off workers. "This year, we sent an application for 250 workers to the Employment Centre," he said.

When Mr Putin asked him to explain this, Mr Vasilyev said that the plant has received new contracts. He noted that last December, the average wage stood at 28,000 roubles. "This year, we are planning to increase it to 35,000 roubles and we will achieve this," he said.

Mr Putin also spoke with students of a vocational school that offers practical training at the plant.