We’re asking you to imagine a gender equal world, one that is free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. For International Women’s Day on March 8, SPOKE will profile some of GFG Alliances’ everyday heroes, to put a spotlight on how individual thoughts and actions can broaden perceptions and break gender bias.

SPOKE takes a look at these talented trailblazers across our businesses – women who continue to inspire and challenge gender stereotypes. Through their stories, and many others, we are given the opportunity to envision a diverse and inclusive world that empowers women and champions equality.

Let’s look at some of these stories…

Meet Patty Brooks – Plant Manager at Liberty Engineered Wire Products, Upper Sandusky, USA

Describe what you do?

I am the Plant Manager at Liberty Engineered Wire Products in Upper Sandusky, OH, USA. 

What advice would you give women to pursue a career in steel?

My advice would be don’t be intimidated, jump in with both feet.  It is a man’s world, but if you are willing to put the work in, get your hands dirty, listen and learn from to those who do the job daily, you will earn the respect of those around you. Once you earn the respect from those around you the feeling is amazing, that’s when you know you can make a difference.  It is a challenging career, but well worth the hard work you will put into it and to know that you are only one of a few women in the field makes it that much more rewarding.

What values are you most passionate about?

The values I am most passionate about are the same on the job as well as off the job; Trust, Honesty and Hard Work.  If a person can demonstrate those three qualities, you know they are dependable and can be counted on no matter what the circumstance is.

What do you love about your job?

I love that every day is different.  The days that I can be on the shop floor talking and learning from our colleagues are the best days.  They are the experts who do the job daily, so learning from them is key.  I love finding new ways to look at problems and working with others to find the best solution.  But mostly I love that I can make a difference. 

Patty came here with a vision to help move our company forward. She is very passionate about making a change by setting goals, with the motivation that is needed to move us forward. She has started the foundation to build us into a TEAM!  She shows the hard work and dedication that is needed for a frontline manager. 

• Bob Camper, Scheduling and Rod Procurement Manager EWP, Upper Sandusky

What qualities do you need to be successful in this role?

Above all else, a person should be honest, trustworthy and hard working.  You need to be willing to admit you do not know everything and that is OK.  You need to surround yourself with people who are experts at their jobs.  You need to listen to their experience and knowledge and make the best decision possible.  Don’t be afraid to fail because you will but learn from it and move on.

Who is your role model and why?

My biggest role model is my Dad.  He has always led by example.  He taught me right from wrong.  Taught me to stand up for what is right even if it’s hard.  He taught me hard work never hurt anyone and at the end of the day you are a better person for it.  He showed me that everyone is the same, no one is any better than the next, just because you have a title or money, doesn’t make you any better than the person next to you.  You should help your neighbour whenever possible.  But the most important thing he taught me is family comes first, you need to be the person they can count on.

What are the challenges that face women today and what is the way of overcoming them?

As I look back, I realize that early in my career I was disregarded, and my opinions didn’t matter.  Many times, I was not taken seriously. My first job taught me a lot. My employer would continuously put me down, called me names and nothing I did was good enough. After leaving there, I told myself that I would never put up with an employer doing that to me again. 

I was determined that every job from that point forward would be better for me, and no one would treat me like that again. I’m not going to say that it has been easy, but knowing your self-worth goes a long way to know what you should or should not put up with from an employer. But on the other hand, you must be willing to put yourself out there and give your best to your employer. 

One of my biggest challenges I have had is not trusting myself and my gut instinct. I have had to learn that I need to trust my knowledge and experience a little more. If you treat people with respect, you will get respect. It may not always come right away, but eventually you will earn it. The quickest way to earning respect is to do what you say you will do. 

Meet Ramonah Alford – W.M. Finishing Supervisor, Liberty Steel and Wire US

It started in this company as a wire drawer, I am now a Finishing Supervisor; I interact with all employees on all shifts. I encourage a positive outlook.

Every day is a new adventure, I learn through and with my employees. Working in this industry comes with growing pains, but the knowledge that I gain, and the satisfaction of a job well done is its own reward. 

I am very self-motivated so to me finishing a job and finishing it well makes me feel very accomplished.

To see a new employee, complete a task that they did not think that they could do. The big high five that I gave them and the proud look on their face, knowing that they did it! That feeling is very gratifying.

Perserverance, dedication, goal oriented and knowing what you want. I also think it is necessary to have the ability to take constructive criticism. 

Anybody that can pick themselves up, put the pieces back together and become successful, you need to have a ‘can do’ attitude!

Presenting Lidia Całusińska – Liberty Czestochowa

How long have you worked at LIBERTY?

I came to Huta in 1984 as a vocational school student. At that time, it was the largest company in Czestochowa, this inspired me, hence my dream to work here. I graduated from school with a specialization in metal forming equipment operator, and then became a mechanical technician. I worked in production for 6 years, and since 1994 I have been in the position of shift dispatch technician.

What are the tasks in this position?

My tasks as a dispatcher of the Sheet Metal Rolling Mill include working with the Steel Mill and the Transportation Department, keeping records, responding quickly to unusual situations. I report malfunctions, sometimes make decisions to stop equipment, and there are times when I call the ambulance service or the fire department. I have completed a first aid course and have already saved the lives of employees twice. One had an epileptic seizure, and the other lost consciousness due to diabetes. I also take care of replacing fire extinguishers and dispensing drinking water to employees.

Lidia is an irreplaceable co-worker for me. She has worked 30 years longer than I have and has a lot of experience to share. She very often helps me make decisions. Besides, she is a very nice and kind colleague.

Szymon Lagodzinski, Shift Manager

What do you like about your job?

Contact with people and the satisfaction that comes from solving problems.

What skills has working at the steel plant taught you?

It taught me to understand other people, to communicate with them and to have patience, because you need a lot of it.

How would you encourage other women to work at the steelworks?

It’s not easy. I can say that I just really like my job. However, I know that it will not suit everyone. My position involves working three shifts. This is sometimes difficult, because it means working at night, on weekends and holidays. There is dust and noise on the shop floor. Then there are the peculiarities of the company, where probably 80 percent of the employees are men, and it is not always easy for a woman among men. However, I have never felt discriminated against and I get along well with men at work.

Who do you consider your professional role model?

My former manager, who has already retired, but I worked with him for 25 years. He taught me how to handle difficult situations and have the courage to say what I think. He used to say, “Heavy industry, then words must be heavy, too.” As a result, I am not afraid to be straightforward and give difficult feedback from time to time, or defend my views.

Barbara Michoń, Shift Dispatcher – Liberty Czestochowa

How long have you worked at LIBERTY?

Since September 1990. First, I was an operator on the production line, then I was a counting clerk, a sheet metal distributor, and finally I became a dispatcher.

Describe your role?

First of all, to provide information quickly and respond to emergencies. It is up to us to report malfunctions and call emergency services. I myself have also twice been the first to help employees who have suffered burns.

What do you like about your job?

I feel extremely valued in my role. I feel that people like me, and I enjoy talking to them, even if it’s only by phone.

What skills did your work at the steelworks teach you?

I learned something different in every position I worked in: computer skills, teamwork, networking with people. I can say that the smelter was a school of life and, above all, of diplomacy, because you meet people with different characters here, and you have to try to communicate with everyone.

How would you encourage other women to work at the steel mill?

This is a difficult topic, because I observe that fewer and fewer young women are coming to work here. And it’s a pity, because, for example, as equipment operators, they are often more attentive, control machines more gently and are better at performing activities that require precision. From my example, I can say that it is an interesting job, and the most important thing is to like what you do. In addition, at the steelworks I met my husband. In February, we celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary.

Introducing Paola Menghi, Liberty Steel UK Raw Materials Purchasing Manager

Paola moved into the Raw Materials Manager role in August 2022, bringing with her extensive experience of raw materials procurement and having previously held senior positions at Liberty Steel Newport and Celsa Group. Across the Speciality Steels businesses, 109 (7%) of 1508 total workforce are women.

What does your job involve?

My current duties include purchasing scrap, liaising with contractors, suppliers and production specialists to balance a number of factors including quality, price, quantities and terms (amongst others).  I have a three-person team working with me, and I encourage them to work flexibly and give them freedom to get on with their jobs. 

Twice a week I travel from Newport to Rotherham, which is usually around a 3.5-hour drive.  Sometimes this can be hard, but I have got used to it and the fact that I enjoy my job and find it fulfilling makes the travel worthwhile and I am happy to be part of the Liberty team.  My colleagues are very professional, and it’s a real pleasure to work with them.

What changes have you witnessed within the industry?

I joined Celsa after graduating from University.  At the start, I didn’t feel as though some of my colleagues took me seriously, that they undermined me a little and did not value my opinion.  I’m not exactly sure why this was, possibly my lack of experience, my age or them doubting my maturity and ability to contribute.  Looking back now, I also think this was a stereotype that all young graduates know nothing, so I made it my goal to prove their assumptions wrong, become a valued member of the team and show that I had the skills and ability to achieve the results necessary to accomplish the team goals.  My first job was office based but following a promotion, I started working in the scrap yard, and this role was more challenging.  I learnt quickly and made my mark by working hard, so my co-workers would see me as equal.

Since then, I have seen changes, with more women in business, power, politics and industry.  30 – 50 years ago, some professions which required more physical strength were not perceived as being suitable for women, but as technology and automation has evolved, industries and attitudes have changed.  Now, you find that most jobs are suitable for any gender, and it’s no longer the case that roles such as drivers, builders, engineers are considered as being “for men”.  That being said, you still tend to find that industries such as the steel sector do still appeal more to men than women.  But, anyone can succeed working here as long as they are persistent and willing to work hard.

What challenges have you faced?

We all constantly face different challenges in our personal and professional lives, but it’s how you deal with these and overcome them that makes the difference.  I think it’s important to try and balance the positives and negatives and personally don’t concentrate on the negatives but do everything I can to turn them into positives.

Prior to joining Liberty, I felt that I occasionally experienced ageism and sexism, not driven by a business’s culture or views, but individual cases of intolerance.  I chose not to let this negativity concern me, but rather, strived to do my best regardless.  I did not to dwell on these moments or views, but focused on my own development, education, and future prospects. This approach helped me to become more professional and experienced. Choosing to adopt this attitude, took strength and it’s not easy to do, but I think this method can really help you in life.

How can we better recruit and support women in industry?

It’s a fact, there are generally less women than men in this industry.  I’m not sure that there is any one reason for this.  It could be the stereotypical view of the type of work, or the lack of understanding of what opportunities are available, but it’s probably a combination of these, and other reasons.  This doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t promote and encourage women to join and progress within the industry.  I personally know women within the scrap industry specifically who are very successful and have flourished as scrap inspectors.

I feel that a lot of young women are not aware of the opportunities that are available.  We need to share as openly as possible the types of roles and careers paths offered.  One way to do this is through success stories of women who work in industry now sharing what they do, helping attract the next generation and showing that they have a viable career path in front of them.

I would be happy to see more women in engineering, production, quality and technical roles. Especially now when we are moving into a new wave of green steel strategy, and we are making changes delivering our CN30 mission. It’s our future and it’s great to be part of this change.

Your job, and the travel sound tiring, what do you switch off from work?

Work is often tiring, both mentally and physically.  There are lots of ways to stop and restore energy levels, but everyone needs to find what works best for them.  Personally, I enjoy spending time in nature and with animals.  I am passionate about animal welfare, particularly rescue dogs and really admire those who give up their time to care for these animals whilst they are in the process of being re-homed and in long term care.  While currently I do not have a lot of time to physically contribute, I try and also support with food, treats and toys as donations. I find that walking my dog helps restore my energy balance and clears my mind, this in turn gives me motivation, clarity and a sense of well-being.

What would you say to other women in industry, or those considering getting into this industry?

Trust in yourself, never give up, support each other, and keep focused on achieving your goals.

Meet Angela McIlduff – Credit Officer – LPMA Whyalla

What advice would you give women to pursue a career in steel?

It is important to remain positive and always look at a task or process beyond what’s right in front of you as often there is always an input or impact to be aware of. Building and maintaining relationships is incredibly important.

What values are you most passionate about?

Commitment to your work and your accountabilities.  Care about what you do and that around you, from the smallest thing to the broader business.

What do you love about your job?

The continual challenges that come up and the interaction I have with customers and colleagues.

Angela’s 37 years of experience with the steel business is testament to her commitment and resilience throughout a period of significant change. 

Angela demonstrates the qualities of persistence, excellence and a “can do” attitude and is a highly valued contributor to the success of GFG.  As a role model she has a wealth of experience upon which to draw and is always willing to share her wisdom.

David Doolan Group Treasurer, Mining & Primary Steel

What qualities do you need to be successful in this role?

Always treat those you’re working with as if you were walking in their shoes! Have the ability to ask questions and never be scared to ask any question as even with the simplest question there is always more to learn and appreciate.

Who is your role model and why?

I don’t have a role model per say but I have had leaders who have influenced me a great deal, people like Mark Eades, he gave his 100%. He was clear and considered, not overbearing but balanced. He was clear on the expectations and tips to go about it. He was always willing to assist and help when the team were short on time or resources.

Introducing Mandy Flowers – Environment Specialist – LIBERTY Bell Bay

What advice would you give women to pursue a career in steel?

My advice to women pursuing a career in the industry is to find people who share the same values and will support you in your role, whether that be through providing the necessary resources, being a sounding board for ideas and solving problems, and/or passing on knowledge and skills that will assist in achieving your goals and creating positive change.

What values are you most passionate about?

Values that are important to me include ingenuity, adaptability and striving to improve the space in which we work and live.  These values align closely with environmental management, which is why I was drawn to a career in the environmental field.

What do you love about your job?

Having a friendly and supportive team.  The role is also largely autonomous, which while challenging, provides opportunities to learn and improve skills in areas that might typically be assigned to someone else in a larger team.

Mandy brings dedication and energy to the HSEC Team, particularly in her specialist area of Environment. Since she commenced her role as Environment Specialist with LIBERTY Bell Bay, Mandy has demonstrated her capacity to quickly understand our operations, and her ability to tackle challenges and meet deadlines has been outstanding. 

Mandy’s contribution as a valued and respected member of the Team is much appreciated and admired by her all who work with her. 

Andrew Taylor – Manager HSEC

What qualities do you need to be successful in this role?

You need to be resourceful to be successful in this role.   There is a reasonable degree of autonomy that requires high level of initiative and persistence to work through the day to day, and unexpected challenges.

Who is your role model and why?

My role model is Sir David Attenborough. He sparked an interest of the natural environment in me as a young woman and led me to my current career choice. I admire his lifelong commitment to the natural environment and providing a platform that engages people from a variety of backgrounds to take an interest in the environment and the issues we face.

Meet Emily Wilton – Electrical Apprentice, Tahmoor Coal

What advice would you give women to pursue a career in mining?

Definitely worth it. Mining is such a dynamic environment to work in. There is something different every day. Especially so in an underground mine.

What values are you most passionate about?

Sustainability, family and doing my best to make a difference. GFG allows me to be my best self because they hold the same values.

What do you love about your job?

I love how each day throws up new challenges. This allows me to push myself to achieve. Very satisfying at the end of each shift to know you helped make it happen.

What qualities do you need to be successful in this role?

You need to have dedication, passion, and the ability to overcome obstacles. Mining will challenge, but the rewards, recognition and job satisfaction will leave you happy and ready for more.

Who is your role model and why?

My mother. She has essential tremor which has created great anxiety in her life. It is hereditary so most of my siblings and I have it as well. She recently built up the courage to share her story online and bring more awareness to her condition and has overcome her anxiety by doing so.

It has inspired me and thousands around the world with the same condition to have more confidence. Not only myself in my personal life but in my work life and has helped me pursue my career with so much more passion. She truly is a beautiful role model.

Trailblazers from LIBERTY Galati

Laura Lazăr

Head of Energy, Simec & LIBERTY Steel Central and South East Europe

How long you have been doing this job: I have worked in the energy industry since 2009 the markup year of first renewables wave in Romania, it’s now been 15 years already.

How long have you been at LIBERTY Galati: I have joined GFG team in 2021, two years ago, very curious to learn and help with CN30 strategy implementation.

What do you love about your job? I enjoy challenges that appear as part of a new project’s development, the fact that there is always something else to learn and being part of a big team.

What life skill has this job taught you? Creative thinking, time management and most important teamwork.

Would you recommend it to other women, and why? Yes, definitely because women have the needed tenacity to achieve anything they set as a goal.

What are the qualities you need to be successful in this role? Good organisation, hard work, thinking out of the box.

What is your advice to women and men who want to take up this career? The energy and renewable domains will always provide challenges and will be the place where you will constantly learn the state of art of the latest technologies.

Who is your female role model and why? I generally appreciate all women , starting with my family where I have found my first models. Every women that is succeeding in family life or career should be seen as a role model for her family/friends and co-workers.

Mihaela Vereș

Head of HR

How long you have been doing this job: 1 year and 8 months

How long have you been at LIBERTY Galati:  Since August 2001

What do you love about your job? I like the people I work with. It is a job in which every day I can impact positively the people around me

What life skill has this job taught you?  Manage ambiguity, ability to cope with immediate change, capacity to have a synthetic view on complex situations, flexibility in mind and approach. My job taught me to have patience, to appreciate each and every person near me as we are all different and view things from all different angles.

Would you recommend it to other women, and why? Things are not always easy but once you pass the hard shell, you can encounter complex range of contexts and personalities that can help you grow

What are the qualities you need to be successful in this role? First of all it is just willingness…  to succeed, to change, to learn. Second is loyalty to the company

What is your advice to women and men who want to take up this career?  To be prepared for hard days and enjoy the easy ones.

Mirela Dobrotă

Head of the Environment Department

How long you have been doing this job: I am Head of the Environment Department since 2015. I have worked since the beginning of my career in the environment area, having different positions and responsibilities.

How long have you been at LIBERTY Galati: I have been working here since 1990 and it seems incredible to me that so much time has passed.

What do you love about your job?

I love being part of a great company that values sustainability, knowledge and promotes teamwork! I love the opportunity of meeting new people with different interest but with the same bottom line – producing steel in Europe while focusing on the environment and developing communities.

What life skill has this job taught you?

The most important lesson or skill was that with patience and the right mindset every issue or challenge can be overcome. And it’s critical to focus on developing people and knowledge. I found that being a mentor and trainer is the second most important skill I developed without knowing it at the beginning.

Would you recommend it to other women, and why?

I think it is important to show women they have a place in steel industry. And that their knowledge, perseverance and attention to detail are just a few of many important skills women bring.

What are the qualities you need to be successful in this role?

Integrity, respect, learning agility, communication, gratitude, self awareness, empathy, courage.

What is your advice to women and men who want to take up this career?

To work with passion and respect. To dream of more and better for those around you, for the community, for the future.

Meet Niharika Mohanta

Automation Engineer, Adhunik Metaliks, India

What is your greatest learning on the job?

I manage the technical and commercial side of the CEO’s office. My greatest learning is even in most difficult situations, I always look for different options to overcome it, learning on the field job, experiencing the hurdles and will to fight back.

What advice would you give women to pursue a career in steel?

Like any other business, the steel business also has its advantages and challenges. Women can also succeed in steel business like in any other business as they can also develop skills by adopting to new and latest automated technologies which are common in steel making process for best quality result.

Niharika is a role model and has a special ability, especially in difficult situations, to appreciating the other’s problems, points of view, and constraints, and providing support and present practical solutions.”

Pankaj Gautam, CEO of Adhunik Metaliks Ltd, India

What values are you most passionate about?

Sincerity towards my work, Conscientiousness – have a sense of purpose and duty.

What do you love about your job? What qualities do you need to be successful in this role?

On the job, I love the challenges and discovering solutions for them. I believe that perseverance, patience and continuous modernization in steel making processes, and being a calculative risk taker are qualities that will lead you to success.

Who is your role model and why?

I have always admired the vision and spirit of Indian entrepreneur Ratan Tata, his ideas and views, not only to build and maintain a successful business conglomerate, but also his pioneering views on gender equality, staff satisfaction and vision to look beyond, is inspiring for young people in the steel industry, just like myself.

What are the challenges that face women today and what is the way of overcoming them – your own views, based on your life experiences?

Inequality is considered as the biggest challenge for women at workspace. We are considered physically weaker as compared to our male counterparts. We are often viewed as ‘less’ and therefore unable to live up to our full potential. But I see so many examples of women who challenge this idea every day, and slowly, changing perception through their actions – they perform far better and execute better ideas and skills, implementing for the betterment of the company, helping it to grow more.

Meet Rita Monteiro – Head of Carbon, GFG Alliance

What does International Women’s Day mean to you, and why is it important?

International Women’s Day is a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for gender equality, and the need for continued advocacy and action towards this goal. It is a celebration of the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, and a call to action to address the many challenges that still exist.

In your opinion, what are some of the biggest challenges that women face today, and how can society address them?

Despite progress, challenges around gender diversity persist. These include the gender pay gap, lack of women in leadership, gender-based violence, and unconscious bias. While in many parts of the world women still face challenges with access to education, in countries with better foundations and efforts for to close the gender gap (e.g. US, Europe), women are still often seen as the primary caregivers for children and elderly relatives.

Closing the gender gap requires a multi-faceted approach, but one of the most critical components is access to education. Basic education requirements for all are essential to ensure that men and women have equal opportunities to develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in life. In addition, education is a powerful tool for empowering women and promoting gender equality and break down gender barriers. Moreover, education can help combat gender-based violence and discrimination by promoting a culture of respect, understanding, and empathy. It can also help women gain the knowledge and skills needed to participate fully in their communities and pursue their career aspirations.

Policy makers have a critical role to play in addressing the gender pay gap. They can implement policies and regulations that promote pay transparency, equal pay for equal work, and anti-discrimination measures. Additionally, they can support initiatives to increase access to education and training for women, promote women’s leadership development, and provide greater support for caregivers.

Which female leader do you admire the most and why?

Choosing someone is never easy, but I have recently developed a great admiration for Jacinda Ardern, the former Prime Minister of New Zealand. She has challenged gender and age norms, while also balancing the demands of building a family and leading a country during some of the most challenging times in recent history.

I find particularly inspiring her honesty, authenticity, and hard work. She has shown the courage to step down when feeling overwhelmed and being true to herself and her values, even when it means being imperfect. Her sense of service was just remarkable. Her example shows that it’s possible to be a strong and effective leader while also remaining true to one’s self and values. Her ability to balance multiple demands and show vulnerability when needed is a powerful reminder that leadership comes in many forms, and that there is no one right way to be a leader.

What are some concrete steps that individuals and organizations can take to promote gender equality and empower women in their communities and workplaces?

Companies can provide inclusive policies, not compromising on gender paygap (which persists today, and is not taken seriously by many companies). Supporting work-life balance, such as flexible working arrangements and parental leave. Transparency in this step is key and prioritize data reporting to address any disparities while tackling them with urgency is important. Regular pay audits and clear criteria for salaries and promotions can help ensure gender bias is not a factor.  These policies can help women balance their caregiving responsibilities with their careers and create a more equitable workplace.

Additionally, providing access to tailored and actionable training, both technical and non-technical, as well as unconscious bias training, can help address blind spots related to gender-based discrimination and challenge traditional gender roles.

Organizations can support women’s leadership development by implementing mentoring and sponsorship programs, providing leadership training, and offering networking opportunities.

Companies can also provide services that help alleviate the burden of caregiving responsibilities, which disproportionately falls on women. Offering benefits such as parental leave, flexible working arrangements, and access to childcare services, in addition to innovative services that can help to address the need of elders or family needs more broadly, from mundane tasks to more demanding ones (e.g. medication, etc). This is particularly important in an aging world.

What advice would you give to young women who are just starting out in their careers or trying to make a difference in their communities?

For young women just starting out in their careers or trying to make a difference in their communities, remember to believe in yourself and your talents. These talents can be developed through focus and hard work, just like any other skills.

Building your network is also crucial. Learning from diverse practical experiences and observations, in addition to any formal education, can be a valuable complementary step towards achieving your goals. In your network, aim to give as much as you take. Giving back is a great learning tool and can help foster change, growth, and purpose while also bringing clarity to your career path and values.

Don’t be afraid to take risks and step out of your comfort zone. This can lead to faster growth and help you advance towards the direction you want to explore in your career. By following these tips and pursuing your goals with passion and determination, you can achieve great things and make a positive impact in your community and beyond. Be assertive with others and with yourself, without forgetting self-love.

And remember, it’s okay to change your mind. As long as you’re not running away from decisions that are right for you, it’s important to be open to new possibilities and embrace change when it feels right. By being adaptable and flexible, you can create new opportunities for growth and explore new paths that align with your goals and values.

From our team in LIBERTY Ostrava

Meet Ingrid Böhmová – H&S Technician, LIBERTY Ostrava

How long have you been working as a safety technician?  

At the end of this year, it will be four years since I started working as a safety technician at the coking plant.

I joined the Ostrava smelter in the fall of 2018, mainly to get hands-on-experience in the field I studied at university. The part time job of the “Red Scorpion” was an ideal opportunity how to see the theoretical knowledge in practise.

What do you like about your job?

From the safety technician point of view a person comes across a really wide range of professions, risks, procedures and regulations that are related to them so one broadens his or her horizons very quickly here. The work is varied so, you can experience something new every day.

First of all, Ingrid is very committed. It takes quite a bit of effort to become familiar with a process as complex as occupational safety at our company, and with Ingrid in particular, she is very detailed oriented.

She’s also a very good team player – despite being the only woman on the Safety team, she takes part in all non-work activities, and is always pushing herself.

Her potential lies primarily in her willingness to learn new things and to improve the area of occupational safety that she has been entrusted with.

She is fearless and a role model for others to not be afraid to learn new things, ask questions or do things differently. She has no problem in digging deep into issues where others, often more experienced colleagues, have found challenging.

Tomáš Pětvaldský, Head of H&S, LIBERTY Ostrava

What skill has this job taught you?  

I could probably mention a lot of things, because the content of my work is really very diverse. From employee training, through investigation of occupational accidents, negotiations with authorities, workplace inspections, conducting audits focused on the OSH management system, creating and updating internal regulations and more. There is often a situation, problem or work task that a person encounters for the first time so, it can be said that I am constantly learning new things here.

Would you recommend it to other women and why?  

My job as a safety technician in the steel industry, is not for everyone I think. After all, it is about working in often risky workplaces, in an environment which is not always clean and in male dominated teams for the most part. However, I personally like this environment and enjoy challenges, and working in my team dynamic is okay with me as I like straightforward and quick actions which I find in my line of work.

I also haven’t experienced that someone would have a problem giving me advise me on something or explaining something to me which I think women working in technical fields appreciate.

What qualities are important for the successful performance of your profession?

In my opinion, a security technician should have a healthy measure of critical thinking and always solve problems according to the specific situation. He or she should also be a bit “easing going” and shouldn‘t take many things personally. After all, we work in a very specific industrial region so many situations cannot be resolved without emotional effusion. However, what I consider the most important and what a safety technician should not forget about is the primary purpose of their work which is to ensure that employees come back home after work safe and sound.

Meet Regina Besta Cabáková

Head of the Continuous Improvement – LIBERTY Ostrava

Describe what you do? What is your greatest learning on the job?

My position is the Head of the Continuous Improvement at LIBERTY Ostrava. We have two groups of employees, process engineers and WCM instructors. They all work closely together to achieve savings, improve production parameters, productivity and reduce waste across the entire smelter. The most interesting thing about my work is the constant process of improvement, constant new things and benefits resulting from this work.

What advice would you give women to pursue a career in steel?

I would advise all women not to be shy and not be afraid of pursuing their career in this industry. It is a heavy industry that women are often intimidated by, but the process of steel production is extremely interesting, fascinating and unrelenting, it has a future. 90% of employees are men but women have their important place here and are received in a very a positive way.

Regina’s strength is her drive, she tries to solve problems, she is not satisfied with just commenting on the current situation, she needs to take action.

This quality constantly pushes her forward, making her a role model for others. She shows everyone that passion for a project is worthwhile and bears fruit.”

Jan Pudich, Head of Hot Strip Mill

What values are you most passionate about?

I am interested the most in values related to production parameters, the so-called core values which are measured and analysed directly in operation. Often this means to move around in dust and high temperatures but it has its charm though.

What do you love about your job?

Unrelenting development and collaboration with colleagues, the heavy operation itself with its liquid steel and hot metal.

What qualities do you need to be successful in this role?

The most important qualities are flexibility, decisiveness, humility, never to give up and be open-minded.

Meet Veronika Bařinková

Crane Operator – LIBERTY Ostrava

What is your job?

I work as a crane operator at the steel shop. In particular, I operate 120-ton cranes and ensure charging of scrap and casting hot metal into tandem furnaces. When I’m on the charging machine I charge materials such as limestone or coke into the furnace depending on what the main smelter requires.

How did you get there?

Completely by chance, I responded to an ad in which LIBERTY was looking for new employees. I studied mechanical engineering, so this field was close to me and office work was never my cup of tea. When I was choosing between several positions at different plants the steel shop immediately caught my eye and I knew right off the bat that it was the one.

What do you love about your job?

I like that it’s not a dreary work. When something goes wrong or when furnaces are being reconstructed I have an opportunity to see and transport things that normally I wouldn’t see or encounter such as furnace hearths etc. Or sometimes I have a good laugh when I see how some of my colleagues do something silly.

What I appreciate about Veronika is her friendly nature. She is very committed and hardworking. She has a real potential that’s why she is involved in our Talent programme. Since she joined the company, she has learned how to operate all the cranes we have here on our shopfloor. These are the 120t and 16t cranes, charging machine and the hoisting device. She can be a role model for others for her interest in learning and not being afraid of trying new things.

Pave Kokeš – Foreman

What qualities do you need to be successful in this role?           

It may not seem like it but I think it’s important to have a knack for gentle and needle sharp moves because sometimes you just need to shift the giant crane by a few centimetres. It is certainly crucial to be patient, responsible and perhaps even have certain aptitudes for the job. One should also have a respect for the enormous hundred-ton ladles they have been handling.

What is your greatest learning on the job?  

I have never worked with a crane before so, it was something completely new for me. In fact, I learned everything from scratch. Thanks to the job, I also made a lot of new friends. We can rely on each other and that is extremely important at work and it doesn’t matter if you are a man or a woman. The only thing that matters is that we make a good team on the shift and we complement each other.

How do you like working in a men dominated team?  

I am fine with it. I had a similar experience at school when most of my classmates were boys and I’ve been involved in a more or less male dominated groups all my life so, I’m kind of used to that and its no big deal to me. Though the smelter is mostly a men dominated environment we have two women working on our shift. I think that we are a nice change for our colleagues too and the gender diversity works pretty well over here.

What advice would you give to women to pursue career in the steel industry?     

Don’t be afraid of it. Either it works out or it doesn’t. Give it a shot ladies, and you will see for yourselves if you like it or not.

Meet Hayley Crichton – Trading Executive, Recycling at InfraBuild

 

What does #EmbraceEquity mean to you?

That without bias, we’re given the tools & opportunities to drive our own success.

What are your hopes for the next generation of females entering our industry?

That we don’t need campaigns to highlight the need for equity and equality, that it’s normalised and demonstrated day to day. 

What are you passionate about as we push for progress in this space?

That we as an organisation continue to build an inclusive workplace without gender bias, without prejudice and one where everyone feels that their voice is heard and their contributions valued.

What do you feel proud about at the workplace?

 I’m proud to be part of a business that is continually evolving and driving change to be supportive and representative of all.

Meet Georgie Seaton – InfraBuild, Project Planner – ARC

What does #EmbraceEquity mean to you?

Embracing Equity to me is being part of a workplace where you have no doubt that you have the same opportunities as others, regardless of gender or race. But to ensure that is happening there is a personal responsibility to call out bias and challenge things that don’t sit right with you, rather than waiting for somebody else to pave the way for you.

What are your hopes for the next generation of females entering our industry?

I hope that anyone – regardless of their gender – entering our industry isn’t afraid to create opportunities for themselves and go for the roles and responsibilities they know they would excel at regardless of their preconceived ideas.

What do you feel proud about at the workplace?

The company for me has provided so much opportunity. I’m grateful to be a part of a place that allows growth and rewards initiative! From operators to branch managers there are so many incredible women to learn from.