Litvinov, 13 June 2018 – Nineteen students of Applied Chemistry from Educhem Secondary School, Mezibori spent two weeks working in Unipetrol Group’s refinery and petrochemical plant in Zaluzi. A total of twenty two experts from Unipetrol gradually introduced the students to the most important parts of chemical operations, including the physical-mechanical lab. The annual work experience of Educhem students at the Litvinov production plant is part of the school’s close cooperation with Unipetrol, which participates not only in educating the students but also in financially supporting and providing equipment for the school. For Unipetrol, Educhem’s graduates are a significant source of quality and professionally oriented employees.
"I’m glad that we have been able to extend our cooperation with Unipetrol with the student work expe-rience. For our students, this is an ideal preparation for their future professions and an opportunity to get acquainted with chemical operations," said Helena Kripnerova, school principal of Educhem. "Skilful students can learn more in a couple of days there than during months sitting in the classroom," she added.
After the initial essential safety training, the students participated in detailed excursions throughout the complex, including a tour of the modern control room at the refinery. The Unipetrol Group experts acquainted them with trends in refining and petrochemicals. Then the students put on protective cloth-ing and for five days shadowed individual employees in the lab and in the different plants. The two-week of work experience also included an excursion to Unipetrol’s transport company, Unipetrol Doprava and a trip to its sister refinery in Kralupy nad Vltavou. "The whole of the work experience was conceived as a team competition. The individual teams prepared a presentation summarising their experience. During the presentation, the students reviewed what they had seen. We, on the other hand, received important feedback," explained Michal Chmiel, Unipetrol Group HR Director.
"The sessions were a lot of fun. In the lab, classmates measured such things as fuel density using a glass hydrometer. They also did simple analyses," said Lukas Pavel, a student from Educhem. "The people we met were willing to explain everything clearly. The knowledge we gained will be useful, as I would like to study at the UCT and then work as a technologist," he added.
"For us, such work experience is an opportunity to attract new prospective colleagues, as we have recently been struggling with the generational gap among our employees. If young people join us within two years after graduation, they may join the special "Absolvent" (Graduate) programme. This allows graduates to learn how all of the departments function. Young people acquire practical skills and awareness of the complexity of our company and learn to move and work in a large production com-pany," Michal Chmiel said.
Unipetrol has been cooperating with Educhem Secondary School for several years. It organises stu-dent excursions, part-time jobs and lectures, such as training seminars for teachers. Last year, the school financially supported the reconstruction of the first-floor corridor of Educhem’s school building. In February, Unipetrol awarded financial scholarships worth a total of 43,000 Czech korunas for the third time. They were divided among 17 students. Representatives of both parties are currently preparing a discussion on the study possibilities at the University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague and on career prospects in the Unipetrol Group.
The Unipetrol Group is the largest refinery and petrochemical company in the Czech Republic. It focuses primarily on crude oil processing, distribution and sale of fuel and petrochemical products — particularly plastics and fertilisers. In all these fields, the group is a key player on both the Czech and Central European market. The Unipetrol Group includes refineries and production plants in Litvínov and Kralupy nad Vltavou, Paramo with the Mogul brand in Pardubice and Kolín, Spolana in Neratovice, and two research centres in Litvínov and Brno. Unipetrol also owns the Benzina network of petrol stations with 402 stations, which is the largest chain in the Czech Republic. Unipetrol is one of the largest companies in the Czech Republic in terms of turnover. The group created revenue of over CZK 122 billion last year and employs more than 4600 people. In 2005, Unipetrol became part of the PKN Orlen Group, the largest crude oil processor in Central Europe.
Contact details:
Pavel Kaidl, Press Officer, telephone no.: +420 225 001 407, +420 736 502 520, e-mail: pavel.kaidl@unipetrol.cz