"Ukrzaliznytsia" launches scholarships for students and bonuses for graduates

"Ukrzaliznytsia" is launching two programs to attract young specialists: the company will pay corporate scholarships to final-year students, and recent graduates in shortage occupations will be able to receive up to UAH 78,000 in additional remuneration.

The corporate scholarship is intended for final-year students of colleges, vocational schools, and universities. Payments will be provided for six months — from January to June — at 50% of the minimum wage monthly. Currently, that is about UAH 4,000.

After graduation, program participants will be offered jobs at "Ukrzaliznytsia". Full-time students with a grade point average of at least 4.5 on a five-point scale or 85 points on a hundred-point scale will be eligible for the scholarship.

Another condition is the absence of academic debt. In addition, the candidate must already be familiar with railway work: for example, have completed an internship or traineeship at the company, or participated in student or professional projects.

Scholarship recipients will be selected on a competitive basis. Winners will sign an agreement. After graduation, they must within six months take up employment at "Ukrzaliznytsia" and work at the company for at least six months.

The second program — "Starting Bonus" — is designed for those who have already completed their education and are ready to start work. Graduates of vocational schools, colleges, and universities who are employed in certain shortage blue-collar and engineering positions will be able to receive up to UAH 78,000.

The payment will be split into two stages: UAH 30,000 will be provided after the first three months of work, and another UAH 48,000 — after nine months.

The list of positions covered by the program, as well as the detailed application procedure, has not yet been published by the company. "Ukrzaliznytsia" has stated that the conditions of the competitive selection will be presented separately.

The programs are being launched against the backdrop of a staff shortage on the railway. Since September 1, the company has also increased the salaries of more than 150,000 employees by 10–15%. Priority in the increase was given to representatives of shortage professions — in particular, specialists in rolling stock repair, track maintenance, and restoration of damaged infrastructure.

In addition to the financial programs, "Ukrzaliznytsia" has announced hackathons and new internship programs for young people, including abroad.

Based on materials from: "Ukrzaliznytsia"