More than twenty applications from various Russian and foreign companies were submitted for the contest. Projects notable for innovative solution and creative approach, as well as containing feasibility study, became winners. The contest’s jury composed of experts from major recruiting and consulting companies gave the first place in the nomination “Best students-engaging program” to Norilsk Nickel for the educational project Conquerors of the North.
Norilsk Nickel’s business-quest was first held in summer of 2015 in the company’s Polar Division in Norilsk with great success. 194 people participated in the educational event focused on training of future professionals for the company. Students’ professional training as a part Conquerors of the North program combined practical training at the company’s enterprises and participation in a six-week business game.
Participants were earning points and striving for the victory, solving Norilsk Nickel’s business cases on a wide range of topics: from additional funding for the company through process and occupational safety improvement to the development of urban social environment and enhancement of the quality of living in Norilsk. In the game finale, project participants presented real comprehensive solutions to the management team of the company’s Polar Division, for business tasks related to the development of the region and the company’s production facilities.
According to the program organizers and the expert council of 2016 Graduate Awards contest, the innovation approach of Conquerors of the North program consisted of the use of unique case-methods for the development and assessment of graduates and specialists of industry-specific universities. These methods are new to the HR-field and have no examples in the mining and metallurgical industry.
“We are pleased that our students-engaging project Conquerors of the North was recognized as the best in Russia, – commented Darya Kryachkova, Norilsk Nickel HR-director. – Modern students-engaging approaches used by Norilsk Nickel, allow better assessing of the future engineers potential and creating conditions required for their development within the companies of the group in accordance with business interests”. (Norilsk Nickel/Ukrainian metal)