Photo: by Daria Kamenskikh
Systematic career guidance—providing educational support and clear career pathways—is a vital tool for sustaining and enhancing a region's human capital. Industrial leaders drive this effort, actively shaping the social landscape in their operational territories. Nornickel exemplifies this approach through its array of successful career guidance programs. Their standout feature is the broad range of audiences they reach across age groups, paired with diverse formats. These programs target preschoolers, schoolchildren, university and college students, young professionals, parents, and educators. What sets them apart is the seamless blend of digital tools and in-person events. Their reach often extends beyond the company's core production sites to other regions.
Nornickel's career guidance initiatives boast an impressive scope. The company partners with around 40 higher and secondary vocational institutions. Norilsk now attracts ambitious youth from across Russia, while also prioritizing local talent. For this younger demographic, the programs aim to show that dream jobs, ambition, and thriving careers are possible right at home—no need to leave. This fosters lasting social capital, benefiting both the company's future and the region's sustainable growth.
Nornickel's extensive career guidance programs do more than supply the company with skilled talent—they embody its commitment to sustainable development, balancing technological innovation with social responsibility. Ongoing investment in personnel training positions Nornickel confidently for the future as an industry leader. For those choosing to build their careers with us, these initiatives empower informed, confident decisions.
The journey into the company can begin as early as kindergarten. For instance, from age 5, young Norilsk residents dive into the creative competition "Professions of My Hometown", where they draw their parents' or relatives' jobs at the company. The best works earn diplomas and memorable gifts. Children love taking part, forging a heartfelt bond with the adults at this mighty enterprise.
Nornickel’s early career guidance follows a systematic approach. The key focus is guiding children toward fulfilling careers in the most comfortable environment possible. The earlier they connect with the company, the greater the odds of attracting truly motivated employees eager for growth. For participants, these programs turn jobs into lifelong callings.
Another hit is the "Company Lesson" for first-graders—a fun, unique classroom session for kids just starting school. Nornickel employees share the company's vital role in Norilsk life in simple, relatable terms. Highlights include trying on personal protective equipment (PPE) like safety vests, goggles, masks, gloves, and helmets. Children eagerly don their "new outfits," pose for classmates, and snap photos. With over a decade of success, the program now features Professor Nikhrom's Lessons animated screenings.
“Professor Nikhrom’s Lessons”
This educational animated series, created with Nornickel, showcases diverse professions for children. The star, Professor Nikhrom, guides first-graders through industrial careers, company operations, and the value of work—in a fun, accessible way that sparks early career inspiration.
Yet Another Captivating Project is “Nornickel’s City of Professions”
Targeted at school and college students pondering career choices, this project helps them discover their dream profession. Users take an 8-question test and explore 147 company roles across 13 fields. Beyond job details, it reveals employees' real lives—including work conditions, salaries, bonuses, leisure activities, and living locales. Test results offer tailored career matches, essential subjects, and clear routes to universities or vocational/technical schools after graduation.
Targeted at school and college students pondering career choices, this project helps them discover their dream profession. Users take an 8-question test and explore 147 company roles across 13 fields. Beyond job details, it reveals employees' real lives—including work conditions, salaries, bonuses, leisure activities, and living locales. Test results offer tailored career matches, essential subjects, and clear routes to universities or vocational/technical schools after graduation.
In 2024, the portal paused as career guidance lessons inspired by "City of Professions" launched. Each session turns into an interactive adventure: kids become arctic miners, metal detectors, alchemists, or fire masters. Teams tackle hands-on challenges—like calculating a crusher operator's shift with a formula or pinpointing the substance for metal treatment in an electrolysis bath.
Since early 2025, "City of Professions" ambassadors have stolen the show in career guidance lessons. Each event features a host plus a real company expert from the lesson's focus field. Venues span company sites, schools, libraries, tech labs, and youth centers.
Roman Churaevsky,
Rector of Nornickel Corporate University:
"Nornickel leads the industry. Without investing in youth and engineering talent, we'll never build a strong pipeline. We equip children with tools to discover their strengths and aptitudes. That's the logic behind our 'City of Professions' platform."
Nornickel also targets graduates and students with career guidance initiatives. For those eyeing engineering or business paths, the company offers an annual 6-module online course to build essential skills in their chosen field. The flagship Conquerors of the North course selects participants for the ProfStart program—centered on hands-on internships at company sites.
The core idea of these projects is to give engineering and technical students an internship at Nornickel, where they can secure a future role and launch their careers as early as possible. Signing a targeted employment contract guarantees a job upon graduation. Plus, high-achieving students (with an average grade of 4.5 or higher out of 5) receive a monthly company scholarship from February to May.
ELENA RUZHITSKAYA,
Director of the Nornickel Corporate University Representative Office in Moscow:
"These days, everyone lives at 2x speed—but our youth? They're at 5x. Young specialists now have endless opportunities to showcase their skills and build careers. At Nornickel, you can climb to the top five times faster than a century ago. And this isn't just talk—some of our enterprise heads started in our corporate youth programs."
Life and work in the North's harsh conditions come with distinct advantages. Interning students at our enterprises are full-fledged employees from day one.
Student internships at Nornickel are 100% paid.
But first, participants in Nornickel's corporate youth programs must commit to relocating to a new city—a challenge not everyone handles alone. The company's career guidance and youth policy specialists help minimize these hurdles. Each year, they craft an adaptation plan for students and young professionals, featuring activities in education, sports, tourism, and the creative arts.
Nornickel supports young hires through the "North Calls!" program, offering full relocation assistance to Norilsk and other northern regions. Benefits include reimbursed moving costs, rental aid for the first three years, and a one-time settling-in payment. This ensures a smooth professional launch by covering key adaptation expenses
New Nornickel hires continue to receive corporate support post-employment. One standout resource is the "In Good Company" mobile app, a tool for smooth onboarding that's grown far beyond digital—now with active communities in every company division. The adaptation approach for young specialists is holistic: they connect with top bloggers, join outdoor tech festivals, creative groups, and even the world's northernmost SUP surfing events.
Importantly, Nornickel's professional projects aren't static—they evolve, improve, gain new options, and actively adapt to today's challenges and demands.
Nornickel supports young hires through the "North Calls!" program, offering full relocation assistance to Norilsk and other northern regions. Benefits include reimbursed moving costs, rental aid for the first three years, and a one-time settling-in payment. This ensures a smooth professional launch by covering key adaptation expenses
New Nornickel hires continue to receive corporate support post-employment. One standout resource is the "In Good Company" mobile app, a tool for smooth onboarding that's grown far beyond digital—now with active communities in every company division. The adaptation approach for young specialists is holistic: they connect with top bloggers, join outdoor tech festivals, creative groups, and even the world's northernmost SUP surfing events.
Importantly, Nornickel's professional projects aren't static—they evolve, improve, gain new options, and actively adapt to today's challenges and demands.
