For over six years, the Ukrainian industrial enterprise Interpipe has cultivated a technical education ecosystem in the Dnipropetrovsk region. During the Forbes University conference, Lyudmyla Novak, Interpipe’s communications director, outlined educational pathways designed to guide youth in career choices while building a skilled talent pool for the area.
Dual Pathways
Interpipe offers students two educational trajectories. The first focuses on vocational training, starting with upgraded practical classrooms in secondary schools where pupils gain foundational skills using modern equipment.
«In partnership with Dnipro City Council, we’ve already modernized seven such spaces, with two more underway,» Novak stated. Students then advance to vocational schools featuring company-funded workshops equipped with advanced machinery. Graduates may secure employment at Interpipe facilities.
The second pathway emphasizes academic development. Specialized lyceums host mechatronics laboratories established through Interpipe’s financial support. After graduation, students can enroll at NTU «Dnipro Polytechnic» to pursue engineering qualifications and eventual positions within the company.
To prevent future workforce shortages, we’re sparking students’ interest in technical fields today by demonstrating that modern manufacturing represents innovation, prestige, and cutting-edge technology.
Lyudmyla Novak Communications Director, Interpipe
Additional Programs
Collaborating with NTU «Dnipro Polytechnic», the company annually hosts Interpipe Mechatronic Lab competitions for school teams, organizes biannual career exploration camps for teens aged 14–17, and implements the «WOW! Physics» initiative to promote STEM education.
«University lecturers conduct workshops in schools without mechatronics labs, supporting educators new to this field,» Novak explained. «Essentially, we’ve become an impactful educational provider in our region.»
Forbes University Forum. Discussion «Nurturing Talent: Corporate-Educator Partnerships». Photo provided by press service
Annual educational initiatives engage over 10,000 youth, with approximately 3,000 participating in competitions, camps, and factory tours.
Over recent years, the company has invested $1.1 million in educational development, prioritizing vocational training where instructional machinery costs match industrial equipment expenses.
Lyudmyla Novak Communications Director, Interpipe
Initial Outcomes
This year, graduates from lyceums with mechatronics labs submitted over 470 applications to «Dnipro Polytechnic», including competition winners like Kirill Rudykh from Lyceum No. 3.
Since its inception six years ago, Interpipe has established more than 20 modern educational facilities across schools, vocational institutions, and universities. Collaborative efforts with municipal authorities and academic partners aim to develop a new generation of engineering professionals.
We acknowledge that educational investments yield long-term returns. Nevertheless, we remain committed to revitalizing engineering’s prestige through these efforts.
Lyudmyla Novak Communications Director, Interpipe
