OREANDA-NEWS. April 29, 2008. Volgograd Small Diameter Pipes Plant LLC (VSDPP, ESTAR Group) is completing its restoration of the vocational training centre: a special classroom is 90% ready, the plant was also granted a training license. The project initiators expect to install equipment in the classroom in April to start training and advanced training in May this year.

The training centre (TC) is designed to implement educational programmes to train experts in accordance with the state educational standards. TC will train for such qualifications as rigger, service technician for lifting gear, arc welder of sheets and strips. Training programmes were coordinated and approved by a regional branch of Rostekhnadzor (Federal Service for Ecological, Technological and Nuclear Supervision).

TC will use its facilities and resources to train both existing workers who would like to upgrade their qualification and newcomers who does not have any qualification. For many young people working at the plant this Training centre is not only an opportunity to master skills and receive a salary increase in future, but also a career growth opportunity. A welder apprentice may take in-service training at the Training centre and, provided excellent academic performance, qualify for 5th wage rate and become assistant of a rolling mill supervisor.

In addition, to attract future managers and train highly qualified personnel, the plant, together with colleges and institutes in Volgograd, are looking into new opportunities of internship and further employment at VSDPP for students with metallurgical qualifications. The plant is approving internship period for the students of Volgograd State Economy and Technology College.

It is also worth mentioning that not only VSDPP LLC has been lacking highly qualified personnel recently, but metallurgical industry on the whole. Policy pursued by the plant is aimed at training and upbringing young people to respect labour, which means that that the training centre will deliver most-in-demand experts with qualifications which ensure Russian economy growth and social stability in the society.