OREANDA-NEWS. August 28, 2015. Severstal, one of the world’s leading steel and steel-related mining companies, announces the opening of the first Metallurgy Museum of its kind in Russia, to attract young talent into an evolving growth industry.

Severstal has already invested almost 150 million roubles in the project which aims to attract young people to careers in an innovative and progressive Russian steel sector, whilst preserving the heritage of an industry which has supported Russia’s cultural and economic achievements over 4,000 years. The importance of the project has also been recognized by a grant from the Russian Ministry of Culture, alongside investment from the Volgoda Region government and other local bodies.

The next-generation, highly interactive museum attracts all ages with both traditional and hi-tech displays, with interactive screens, electronic boards, audiovisual installations created from rare photo and video archives, documents and artifacts. It traces the history of metallurgy from the origins of iron craftwork to the advanced engineering and IT solutions used by modern industry giants today, such as the Cherepovets Steel Mill (part of the Severstal Russian Steel Division), which is one of the largest mills in Russia.

The Russian steel industry employs more than 300,500 people, and Severstal 52,000 people. The steel industry is the second largest industry in the world and employs more than 2 million worldwide. Although the International Labour Organisation estimates that the mining and manufacture sectors will see among the greatest employment growth in 2014-2019, attracting the right talent to industry remains a challenge.

The opening of the museum to the public this week coincides with the 60th anniversary of the Cherepovets steel mill. At the official opening ceremony a ribbon made of steel was cut by Alexey Mordashov, Chairman of the Board of directors of Severstal, Oleg Kuvshinnikov, Governor of Vologda region and Yuri Kuzin, Mayor of Cherepovets.

Alexey Mordashov, Chairman of Severstal, said: “This museum will play an important role in educating young people more about the steel industry, its potential and the exciting career opportunities it offers. Today metallurgy is a high-tech industry, and Severstal and Cherepovets are among the industry leaders.”

Andrey Belyshev, Head of HR at Severstal, said: “In Russia, as elsewhere globally, traditional industries that have long been the backbone of our economies are struggling to attract top talent to mining and engineering. Many young people today reject careers in industry as out-dated; when in fact we are constantly evolving and innovating to meet environmental challenges and competition. The steel museum is one of Severstal’s initiatives to demonstrate the advancement of the steel industry and attract young people into exciting and rewarding life-long careers.”

Severstal’s Young Resources programme

The Young Resources programme includes a range of initiatives focused on developing young people’s interest in engineering and the mineral resource industry. The programme is intended for students in comprehensive schools, training colleges, technical schools and specialised Institutions of Higher Education.

Young Resources is available in most of our mining Division’s operating regions and is building a continuous system of education, professional development and motivation for young professionals by offering:
• Specialised classes in secondary schools
• Payment of student scholarships
• Collaboration with Institutions of Higher Education
• New employee support

Based on the results of the First Rating of Business Partners of Russian Higher Educational Institutions, we were commended in nominations for The Best Practice of Vocational Adjustment of Students of Higher Educational Institutions, The Largest Contribution to the Support of Gifted Students and Young Teachers, and The Largest Youth Employer.