Shabyt Zholy: Women in Power Industry

Developing a highly professional working class in the country is a complex and multifaceted task that goes far beyond the scope of the Year of Working Professions. Samruk-Energy, the largest diversified electric power holding company, which includes more than twenty manufacturing companies, is also working in this direction, and the task of ensuring the stability and professionalism of its workforce is part of its daily routine.

This includes working with staff to improve their qualifications, early career guidance, training young people in blue-collar professions, and a focus on women, as many women today are choosing male-dominated professions, including blue-collar jobs. One of the events within the framework of the Year of Working Professions and its own program was held at the end of October in Almaty. It was organized by the Women’s Club of Samruk-Energy JSC. It was formed back in August 2024 with the aim of promoting the comprehensive development of women, supporting their professional growth and self-realization in labor collectives.

The development programme for women in blue-collar professions at Samruk-Energy JSC, called ‘Shabyt zholy: energetika salasyndaғayelder’ (Inspiring Path: Women in Energy), ‘Inspiring Path: Women in Energy,’ is aimed at developing personal and professional skills and competencies, as well as strengthening health, family harmony and relationships, and achieving a balance between work and family.

“We initially identified three areas of focus for the club: professional support, personal growth, and solving specific problems,” says club member Madina Aisarova, Director of the Corporate Governance and Sustainable Development Department at Samruk-Energy JSC. “Within these areas, we set tasks such as helping to develop skills, career growth and overcoming professional difficulties, creating a space for communication, exchanging experience, and finding like-minded people and business partners among colleagues. To this end, we organize training sessions, lectures and master classes aimed at self-development and confidence building, gaining valuable knowledge and developing leadership skills. Another important task is to help women adapt to working conditions and solve problems in project implementation. To this end, an event was organized for female production staff of the Samruk-Energy group of companies. The two-day forum included a workshop, an exchange of experiences and a cultural program.

A pilot group was created for training – 35 female production workers from the group of companies who took part in the event. The forum was attended by a high level of specialists and workers representing various areas of activity in their companies in different regions of the country. The participants were welcomed by Bakhytgul Tundikbaeva, Director of the KIMEP Executive Education Centre. The speakers included not only representatives of the holding company, but also invited coaches: Akmaral Kanatbayeva, founder of a business in the field of education and president of the School League Association for Jiu-Jitsu and Grappling; Elena Lazareva, founding partner of the International Business Coaching University, expert in EQ development and neuroleadership; and Oksana Svidova, practising psychologist, internationally certified trainer and ICF coach.

Incidentally, the idea for the programme, which took place in the Almaty mountains and included visits to the Shymbulak base, the Medeu mountain skating rink and the Nomad Ethnic ethno-aul, was proposed by the Women’s Club of AlES JSC. The women energy workers from Almaty spoke to the program participants, sharing their club’s achievements and their experience in solving their own problems.

I was delighted to take part in the Women’s Forum. I would like to note that its program was very diverse, covering many areas of interest to women working in manufacturing. On the first day, we had a meeting with psychologists and a coach, as well as with the charming Akmaral Kanatbayeva. The Women’s Club creates a comfortable atmosphere, and I was able to recharge my batteries from the positive participants,‘ shares Aizhan Avganova, a chemical analysis laboratory assistant at CHPP-2 named after A.Zhakutov. “The second location surprised me in general – we visited the Ethno-Aul. Now I would like to learn about the traditions of hospitality in other cities, as well as visit the workplaces of women in other industries.

There was also a master class on making baursaks with tea drinking, a demonstration of a Kazakh yurt and a Besikke Saly ceremony. The forum participants watched the horse show ‘Zhigittik ener’, the horse games ‘Atpen audaryspak’ and ‘Qyz kuu’. They also had the opportunity to ride horses and participate in a master class on archery. I was very happy to participate in the Women’s Forum organised by Samruk-Energy JSC for women in blue-collar professions. The forum brought together female workers from all cities of Kazakhstan,’ says Adiya Sarsakova, a metrology engineer at CHPP-1 named after B.Orazbayev. “It was an amazing experience. On the first day of the program, we underwent practical training sessions on psychology, leadership and self-development. The training sessions included interesting discussions, and it was a valuable experience for us, the participants.

The second day was spent in Ethno-Aul, where we actively participated in master classes. It is also important that we had the opportunity to rediscover the richness and value of our people’s culture and traditions. The women’s forum gave me the opportunity to meet different and interesting people. I received a sea of positivity, joy and emotions. Over these two days, my brain and soul were completely overwhelmed. It was also important for us to see that women can fulfill their potential by holding high positions in all spheres of life. I hope that in the future we will have more forums like this where we can realize our potential.

According to the participants, it is very important to include such vivid non-working moments in the program, since the work of an energy engineer requires concentration, professionalism and a high level of responsibility, which makes it difficult to ‘let go’ of production and relax completely even at home. However, due to the emotional nature of the female body, this is necessary. Therefore, switching from one activity to another is a necessity that also needs to be learned.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the organizers, Samruk-Energy JSC, for the wonderful opportunity to participate in training webinars on the basics of public speaking. Thank you very much for your attention to detail, warm atmosphere and care. This event left the warmest impressions and gave a powerful impetus for personal growth and self-confidence. It was not just training, but real inspiration and a powerful boost of confidence, says Venera Desyatnikova, an electrician for the repair and maintenance of automation and measuring equipment at the Eneroremont power plant. On the first day, we were taught by professional coaches – it was very interesting, informative and motivating. We learned how to behave on stage and work with our voices and emotions. After the classes, we went on an exciting trip to Kok-Tobe, rode the cable car, admired the city from above, took photos and shared our impressions. On the second day, we had an equally busy schedule at the ethno-aul: it was a real feast for the soul, full of joy, communication and new discoveries. It was especially nice to meet women from all over Kazakhstan – bright, energetic women with whom I made new friends.

Earlier, a forum-training for women from the corporate centre and subsidiaries, organized by the Women’s Club of Samruk-Energy JSC, was held in Astana. The events of the women’s clubs of Samruk-Energy JSC and AlES JSC will continue in order to support the professional and personal development of female employees.