You can now find out more about DTEK Grids' Dual Education project on the public portal for entrepreneurs ‘Diia.Business’. The project is recognized as a successful example of overcoming barriers to youth employment and solving the problem of personnel shortage in industrial specialties. This project is recommended for study by other Ukrainian companies.
“The Dual Education project is an opportunity to support talented young people. We help students gain practical skills and a profession in the energy field. Upon completion of training, our graduates can become engineers, electricians, electric fitters and continue to work in the company where they did their internship. We do not rule out that some people will be willing to master management skills and become a manager in future,” says Natalia Bereza, Head of DTEK Grids Human Resources.
The prime project goal is to overcome barriers to youth employment and solve the problem of personnel shortage in industrial specialties. Thereby, it was included in the list of best cases of business without barriers on the public platform ‘Diia.Business’ and was recommended for implementation by other Ukrainian companies.
"Dual education is a good example of economics without barriers. Thus, such barrier-free environment gives real benefits for young professionals, stimulates their development. The Business Without Barriers community was founded at the initiative of First Lady Olena Zelenska. One of its tasks is to introduce the best practices of inclusion, equality, and diversity to small and medium-sized businesses. I hope that this case, as well as other examples and tips posted on the portal, will help many Ukrainian companies to discover new barrier-free opportunities and become more successful," says Tatiana Lomakina, Advisor to the President of Ukraine on Barrier-Free Environment.
DTEK is a signatory to the UN Global Compact, and the Dual Education project is in line with the objectives of this document. In particular, goal No.4, which ensures inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. As well as goal No.8, which promotes sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.
"DTEK is a reliable and conscious company. Today we are transforming our business in accordance with the New DTEK-2030 Strategy, based on the principles of the ESG and the responsibility of business to achieve the goals of Sustainable Development of the UN Global Compact. One of the important areas of our work is to support and develop talented youth. After all, we, as an employing company, are interested in having more professional young specialists. Therefore, we give them the opportunity to receive both training and practice with us. And then they can stay to work for the company,” says Diana Kladova, Head of DTEK Grids Communications.
Dual students gain knowledge per an individual program, under which they spend thirty percent of their time in the classrooms at the university and dedicate seventy percent of their time to practice their skills in a real enterprise. The company provides students with a salary and a benefits package, which includes medical insurance, paid vacation, sick leave, etc.
“The dual form of education is a very good way to learn and consolidate your theoretical skills in practice. Well, in addition to getting a salary. I have an advantage over students who study only theory because I've seen how it really works. At DTEK, I like that I can work on modern equipment. I like our friendly team,
seniors help us, and tell us a lot of interesting things,” says Vitaliy Kosyk, level 3 electrician at DTEK Kyiv Grids, who is undergoing training under the Dual Education program this year.
To date, 32 students who have studied under the dual program have graduated and become employees of Electricity Distribution Companies that are part of DTEK Grids Operating Holding.
To become a participant in the Dual Education project of Distribution System Operators, a student should be getting an education in a specialty related to energy, be the 2nd - 4th year student in one of the educational institutions that concluded an agreement with the company, and fill out a questionnaire.
