SUCCESS STORIES

VICTOR RYZHKIN

Dock engineer

Victor Ryzhkin is 26 years old. He mastered the profession of dock engineer in 2012, when Ust-Donetsk port opened enrolment for training courses. Twelve people made contracts with the port and got the new speciality at the expense of the enterprise. Such a program is mutually profitable, because the young specialists have to work five years at the port, under the contract. The social program is also of interest for those who live in the community: they can obtain a speciality and a relevant certificate free of charge and then use the knowledge and skills received directly when working at the port.

"We unload sulfur, mineral fertilizers, and metal," Victor says. "We are not afraid of sulfur. Why should one, really?" Ryzhkin is surprised. Everyone at the port knows that sulfur is hazard class four, just like coal. "Sulfur is a low-toxic substance. We use special protection means during cargo operations, so we feel quite safe," he explains.

The young specialist really likes working here. "The collective is friendly and cheerful. Wages are paid on time, and you don't have to leave your native community," Ryzhkin comments.

ALEXEY BOGOSLOVSKY

Job foreman

Alexey Bogoslovsky has worked at the port for one year already. Being a trained mechanical engineer, he is fully responsible for safe working during shifts. It is he who dispatches jobs to dock engineers. He gives orders to the party of 18 workers.

"There is always much work during the navigation, we can work 12 hours," Alexey says. "I realize that a huge responsibility rests with me. It happens sometimes that I have to supervise handling operations both in the southern and in the northern area at once".

There is no time to relax. However, quality work and reached or exceeded targets bring moral satisfaction, too. "Last year Ust-Donetsk port transshipped one million tons of sulfur. Sulfur is our main cargo. As we say at the port, while there is sulfur, there is work."

Alexey is just 31 years old. The Bogoslovskys have three children: the youngest son, Maxim, is only half a year, Daniil is 2,5 years old and the oldest one, Denis, is 7. "Working at the largest enterprise of the region gives more social guarantees. It is easier to find a place at the kindergarten for your child, it is easier to get a holiday voucher or a mortgage under the corporate program," Bogoslovsky points out. 

IVAN LITVINOV

Mechanical technician

Ivan Litvinov has worked at UDP for 10 years already. "Ust-Donetsk port is a large industrial enterprise, the only one of such a scale in Ust-Donetsky region. Surely enough, everyone would like to work here," Ivan says.

Litvinov started his work as a dock engineer ensuring the loading and unloading of sulfur at the port. Then he wanted to change his speciality and shifted to repairing cranes. He is working as a setup technician now.

Ivan is not afraid of handling sulfur. "Those who work directly with sulfur use special glasses and respirators," he explains. "The port watches closely that the employees pass compulsory medical examination every year. Safety is also at the high level at the port. Every year, the company tests samples of water, air and soil, and they are all up to the maximum permissible concentration standards. So there is no negative influence on the organism and the environment."

NIKOLAI VOLGIN

All-round turner

Nikolai Volgin has worked at Ust-Donetsk port for over 30 years already, since early 1981. "I studied at Rostselmash," Volgin recollects. "The practical training was also there, at the plant, in 1975. Then I served in the army and came to work at the port."

The question why he went to Ust-Donetsky community after studying in Rostov-on-Don is answered by Volgin immediately, "I was born here. All my relatives are here."

Nikolai Victorovich has mastered various specialties in several decades of work at the port. "You are eager to try everything as a young man, earning money also plays its part. During the navigation, I would handle timber and work as a dock engineer, and in winter, I used to come back to the turning workshop," Volgin shares.

Since 1991 he has been employed as a full-time all-round turner. "We can make positively any part with the turning lathe," Nikolai Victorovich smiles.

In Ust-Donetsk port, the capable specialist was noticed. In 1994, Nikolai Volgin was granted a two-bedroom flat by the enterprise.

VITALIY KURNOSOV

Electrician

Vitaliy Kurnosov came to work at Ust-Donetsk port in 2012. He was educated as an electrician at Novocherkassk industrial and humanitarian college.

"The profession of electrician is useful everywhere, even in daily life," Kurnosov notes. At the port, one cannot do without electricians, too. Vitaliy repairs engines of gantry cranes.

Kurnosov likes working at a large industrial enterprise. The electrician shares, "I'm planning to go on working here, to build my career. I'm eager to work and develop!"

IVAN PETRENKO

Welder

Ivan Petrenko is one of the youngest workers at the port. He is just 20 years old and he has worked as a welder at the enterprise for one year already. "It is at the college of Novocherkassk Polytechnical Institute in Rostov-on-Don that I have got the work profession of welder," says Petrenko.

His knowledge came in useful during the practical training in Ust-Donetsk port, after which Petrenko was employed full-time. Ivan likes his job: "We weld metal structures and repair ships. It is interesting to make something with your own hands and see the result of the work done".

"The most important is that wages are paid," Petrenko explains his choice of employer. He lives in Ust-Donetsk with his grandmother and he does not want to leave her all alone.

The welder likes the working collective very much. "As the youngest one, I have little experience. But my co-workers are very nice. They support and help me in everything. I will also get experienced as the years pass," Vanya Petrenko says.