The republican forum «Enbek Adamy – El Maqtanyshy» («The Working Person is the Pride of the Nation») took place in Astana in honor of Labor Day. During the ceremony, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov presented state awards to production employees on behalf of the President, emphasizing that the principle «Honest Person – Honest Work – Honest Income» has become one of the key guiding values for the nation’s development.

The «Veteran of Labor» departmental medal was awarded to Nuradil Meshchanov, a 6th-class boiler operator at Topar Central Power Distribution Plant LLP. The forum also featured an exhibition of Kazakhstan’s industrial enterprises, showcasing educational and social initiatives, as well as innovative technologies.

As one of the leaders of the country’s mining and metallurgical industry, the Kazakhmys Group presented its comprehensive approach to workforce development. Over 780 students are currently studying at the company’s corporate colleges in Satpayev and Balkhash, while over the past three years, over 200,000 employees have completed professional development programs. Up to 60% of the training time is dedicated to hands-on industrial practice.

«Our strategic goal is to ensure generational continuity and preserve labor dynasties. In a time of workforce shortages, we are focusing on developing educational programs and supporting young professionals,»
- highlighted Alibek Aldongarov, Director for Organizational Development and Human Resources at Kazakhmys Holding LLP.

Beyond education, the company actively implements a wide range of social initiatives. This year, 33 apartments have already been handed over to employees free of charge, with another 60 families expected to receive housing by the end of the year. Construction of a new residential building for power engineers has begun in the settlement of Topar. For 2025, Kazakhmys has allocated KZT 11.7 bln for employee welfare programs - a 25% increase compared to last year.

The company has also renewed its collective agreement for 2025–2029 and modernized its compensation framework. The new system introduces annual income indexation and quarterly performance bonuses across all divisions. Additionally, employees are now entitled to one-time financial assistance in cases of marriage, childbirth or adoption, loss of close relatives or serious illness, as well as additional pay for advanced academic degrees among engineering and technical specialists.

Kazakhmys continues to expand partnerships with universities. Together with Satbayev University, the company organizes the Geology Olympiad, and with Karaganda Technical University, the Mechanical Engineering Olympiad, engaging students and schoolchildren from all regions of Kazakhstan.

The company is also advancing digital transformation within its enterprises - implementing personnel and transport tracking systems to enhance safety, digital twins of production facilities and monitoring systems to optimize operations.

Kazakhmys contributes actively to the social development of the regions where it operates. In Ulytau Region, the company has opened a sports and recreation center, a chess academy, a rehabilitation facility, dental clinics and launched the construction of a new congress center. In Karaganda Region, new healthcare and sports projects are underway, while in Zhambyl Region, several new social facilities have been commissioned.

«Continuous learning builds professional capacity; social initiatives strengthen the corporate spirit; digitalization and innovation enhance efficiency; and sports and community projects foster drive and confidence in the future,» - emphasized Alibek Aldongarov.

The forum in Astana served not only as a platform to honor the country’s best blue-collar professionals but also as a reminder that the future of the economy depends on respect for labor, the training of specialists and the preservation of labor dynasties.