The element of success
A professional skills competition among chemical analysis laboratory assistants was held at Metafrax Chemicals. Nineteen participants, including six students from the Ural Chemical Technology College (UCTC), demonstrated their knowledge and skills.
While starting the event, Elena Bolotova, Head of the HR Department at Metafrax Chemicals JSC, emphasized the importance of the competition for professional growth:
– Professional skills competitions for the entire enterprise are a good tradition that has been continued for years. This is an opportunity to step out of your comfort zone, overcome barriers and prove your skill level.
Aleksandr Grom, chairman of the company's trade union organisation, added that such competitions are a unique chance to assert yourself, gain new experience and achieve your ambitious goals, as well as strengthen the bond between experienced employees and future specialists.
The traditional competition format continues: at the first stage, participants answered questions related to Mendeleev's Periodic Table, solved analytical chemistry tasks as well as completed tasks on labour protection and lean manufacturing. They were given 60 minutes for the tasks.
The practical stage dedicated to acid-base titration required precision and skill from the contestants. In 60 minutes, it was necessary to determine the target chemical element, while observing all laboratory practice standards.
Ekaterina Sokolova, a laboratory assistant for the polyorganics and polyatomic alcohol production unit, took the first place among the employees of Metafrax. Yulia Kuklina from the water supply and disposal workshop got the second place, and Leila Vzdornova who represented the AUM plant took the third place.
– I have been participating in the competition for the fourth year in a row, and this time has become significant for me! It was unexpected that I would come in first. It's very nice, the emotions are unforgettable! For me, participation in the competition is a demonstration of my skills, development and exchange of experience with colleagues, and the first place is proof of how much my professional level has grown, - Ekaterina Sokolova shared her impressions.
UCTC students also demonstrated impressive results: Valeria Ivanenko came in first, Polina Zagvozdkina and Ulyana Zabayeva took the second and third places, respectively.
At the closing ceremony, Andrey Eremeyev, Technical director of the company, addressed the participants:
– There are no losers here. Everyone takes away new knowledge and experience that will help them become true professionals. We thank the UCTC students in particular, who, along with current employees, take part in the competition, which indicates the motivation of result-oriented young people.
All the contestants received corporate gifts, and the winners received diplomas and bonuses. Aleksandr Grom also congratulated the trade union members who participated in the competition and presented them with bonuses from the Russian Trade Union of Workers of Chemical Industries.