Metinvest Group has been recognized as one of Ukraine's top employers in the "Metallurgy" category according to a ranking compiled by NV in partnership with the recruitment agency Odgers Ukraine, RBC-Ukraine reports. The final list includes 50 large businesses and five medium-sized enterprises that, according to experts, demonstrate the most resilient HR policies under conditions where Ukraine's labor market is experiencing multi-factor pressure.
Competitive Field: Who Else is in the "Metallurgy" Category
In the metallurgy category, alongside Metinvest, Interpipe and Centravis entered the leaders' list. Thus, the country's three largest steelmaking players ended up on the same list, emphasizing that despite general industry challenges, these specific companies managed to build an HR strategy deemed exemplary by experts. The ranking considers not only financial indicators, but also the ability to retain teams, adapt working conditions, and support employees in extraordinary circumstances.
Labor Market Under Pressure: Mobilization, Outflow, and Infrastructure Attacks
The authors of the ranking emphasize that Ukraine's labor market remains under significant pressure due to several simultaneous factors: mobilization, workers leaving abroad, and regular Russian attacks on production sites, warehouses, and energy infrastructure. Under such conditions, retaining qualified personnel is a task of no less complexity for industrial enterprises than ensuring production continuity. Nevertheless, according to NV and Odgers Ukraine, companies continue to adapt their personnel policies, retain teams, and support employees, which formed the basis for selection in the ranking.
Leadership Position: "In the Vise of War and EU Trade Restrictions"
Metinvest CEO Yuriy Ryzhenkov commented on the company's inclusion in the ranking, noting that Ukrainian metallurgy is currently "in the vise of war and EU trade restrictions." According to him, despite losses and difficult working conditions, the group continues to preserve its team, support the Defense Forces, and prepare to participate in the country's recovery. "Despite all losses and challenges, Metinvest continues to be a pillar of Ukraine and is doing everything to preserve the team, be able to support the Defense Forces, and rebuild the country after victory," Ryzhenkov stated.
Investments, Taxes, and Frontline Support: Figures for 2022–2025
For the period from 2022 to 2025, Metinvest invested UAH 43.6 billion in enterprise development and paid over UAH 82.2 billion in taxes. In addition, since the beginning of the war, the company has channeled over UAH 10 billion to help Ukraine and its citizens, of which UAH 7.3 billion were funds allocated for the needs of the Defense Forces under the Steel Front initiative. The group's enterprises have also established production of frontline goods, including protective gear for the military and equipment. These indicators, according to the ranking's logic, are part of the broader context in which a company's ability to retain staff and ensure social stability within the collective is evaluated.
What This Means for the Industry
The inclusion of Metinvest, Interpipe, and Centravis in a single list of top metallurgy employers indicates that even under conditions of armed conflict and external economic pressure, Ukraine's largest industrial groups retain the ability to build systematic HR policies. For the industry, this is a signal: retaining human capital is becoming a competitive advantage of no lesser order than modernizing production lines, and the NV and Odgers Ukraine ranking cements this trend in the public sphere.
