Mentorship
Our Mentorship Program is open to everyone who works here – because we all have something to share, and something we can learn. This initiative helps you create meaningful connections across sites, roles, and departments, so whoever you are, you will have the chance to experience two-way development.
By matching mentors and mentees from different parts of our organization, the program encourages fresh perspectives, shared experiences and a culture of continuous support – no matter what stage of your career you are at.
Key highlights:
- Open to all employees, across roles and functions
- Two-way learning, benefiting both mentor and mentee
- Strengthens internal collaboration and knowledge-sharing
- Supports individual growth and problem-solving
Women’s Network
Our Women’s Network is all about connection, visibility and empowerment. We know our industry has a reputation for being male-oriented, so this is our way of making sure none of our colleagues ever feel out of place.
With local chapters open to all women and a dedicated steering group, it focuses on open dialogue, shared experiences and access to role models. We want your help to spot and – more importantly – tackle any challenges our women face, so we can all benefit from a fairer workplace.
Key highlights:
- Open network for all women, supported by a nominated steering group
- Opportunities to share experiences, support each other and find role models
- Career development for women across the business
- Helps shape a more diverse future for all of us
Graduate Introduction program
Our Graduate Intro Program is designed for those who have joined us soon after graduating. It is an onboarding journey that goes beyond the basics - offering an in-depth look at everything we do to get you up to speed.
You will gain a deep understanding of how we work, visit our mills to see the action up close, and start building a personal network that will support you for years to come.
Key highlights:
- Tailored onboarding for new graduate hires
- Mill visits and hands-on business insight
- Networking across departments and locations
- Early focus on direction, opportunities and development
Young Professionals Network
Our Young Professional Network is a development program for our
employees with an academic education and under the age of 40.
If that is you, then this network will put you in touch with other future leaders and experts. We want you to be with us for the long term, so this is your space to get the support for the journey ahead.
Key highlights:
- A cross-site network of young, high-potential professionals
- Site visits and hands-on insight into Ovako’s wider business
- Focus on leadership or expert-track development
- Platform for mutual learning between Ovako and its future leaders
Aspiration program
The Aspiration program is for potential future leaders, or successors to key leadership roles. It is designed to spark inspiration, build confidence and give you a deeper understanding of what leadership means at Ovako.
You will explore the challenges and responsibilities of leadership, reflect on your personal strengths, and develop the self-awareness you need to lead. Along the way you will make connections across our whole business – because no one can lead by themselves.
Key highlights:
- Develop a leadership mindset and skills for future roles
- Understand our expectations and leadership culture
- Build self-awareness, communication and collaboration skills
- Create strong peer connections across departments and sites
First-Line Manager Leadership program
Designed for newly appointed first-line managers, this program gives you everything you need to start managing others. It combines practical tools, shared learning and personal reflection – so you can develop others’ careers at the same time as your own.
You will gain a broader understanding of our expectations, develop strategies for fostering engagement within your teams and build a supportive peer network across sites.
Key highlights:
- Practical tools and guidance for new managers
- Insights into our leadership culture and expectations
- Focus on team development, engagement and performance
- Strong cross-site community for support and exchange
Business Leadership program
Our Business Leadership Program is tailored for the senior leaders who play a key role in shaping our overall strategy, culture and long-term success.
If you are a manager of managers or a leading a business function, then it will both support and challenge you to boost your impact, get the most out of your teams and lead to the best of your ability. Through practical tools, strategic insights and peer-to-peer learning, it will help you develop the leadership skills to keep steering us in the right direction.
Key highlights:
- Designed for leaders who look after other leaders
- Focus on business-driven leadership and influence across functions
- Practical tools and techniques to lead effectively
- The opportunity to discuss challenges, exchange ideas and learn from peers
- Builds a strong peer network across departments and countries
Exchange competence program with Japan
As part of our collaboration within the Nippon Steel Group, Ovako runs an exchange program with our Japanese sister companies, Sanyo Special Steel and Nippon Steel.
This initiative gives selected employees the opportunity to visit Japan, explore new ways of working, and build meaningful professional connections. The goal is to develop knowledge-sharing, technical growth and cross-cultural understanding – all while strengthening the global collaboration within our group.
Key highlights:
- Collaboration across continents within the Nippon Steel Group
- Exchange of best practices and technical insights
- On-site visits to Sanyo Special Steel and Nippon Steel
- Builds global networks and cultural understanding
- Supports personal development and long-term collaboration
