Second Edition of the “Future Talents’ Factory” Programme Begins
Agropolychim has officially launched the second edition of its Future Talents’ Factory programme, an initiative that reflects the company’s long-term commitment to supporting the development of young professionals and creating opportunities for their successful career start.
Interest in the programme reached a new high this year. Following a competitive selection process involving more than 200 applications, 12 interns and trainees were chosen to join the company.
The programme officially commenced on 1 July. The internship programme will run until 31 August, while the trainee programme will continue through 31 December. This year’s participants include university students and recent secondary school graduates from leading educational institutions in Bulgaria and abroad, including the Technical University of Varna, Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy, the University of Virginia (USA), Utrecht University of Applied Sciences (the Netherlands), and St. Kliment Ohridski High School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences in Silistra.
“I decided to apply for an internship at Agropolychim after the company was recommended to me by friends in Bulgaria. As I learned more about it, I realised it was much more than a large manufacturer – it is a company with international presence and ambition. Working in such an environment has given me confidence and valuable insight into the industry,” says Kitka Ivanova, a Creative Business student at Utrecht University of Applied Sciences, who is completing her internship in Agropolychim’s Communications and Marketing Department. According to her, the opportunity to work for a company of this scale is one of the reasons she is considering returning to Bulgaria after completing her studies.
A similar motivation brought Adrian Haley, a fourth-year student at the University of Virginia, to Agropolychim. He is completing his internship within the company’s Production Directorate, where he can directly apply the knowledge gained through his studies in Chemistry and his Physics specialisation.
Alongside the second edition of Future Talents’ Factory, Agropolychim also launched its annual two-week industrial work placement programme for secondary school students across the companies within the Group. This year, 18 students from Vocational High School of Computer Modelling and Computer Systems “Acad. Blagovest Sendov”, Dr Ivan Bogorov Vocational High School of Economics, D. I. Mendeleev Vocational High School of Chemical and Food Technologies, and Vasil Levski Secondary School are taking part.
Following the official opening ceremony, participants took their first steps into the working environment at Agropolychim. Over the coming weeks and months, they will join different teams, contribute to day-to-day activities, and gain practical experience under the guidance of experienced mentors. In addition to their day-to-day responsibilities, the programme includes behavioural skills training and a group assignment designed to support both their professional and personal development.
“For us, Future Talents’ Factory is much more than an internship programme. It is an investment in the next generation of engineers, technologists, specialists and future leaders. We believe that when young people are given the opportunity to work on real projects alongside dedicated mentors in a modern industrial environment, they gain far more than technical knowledge – they begin building their professional future. We are especially encouraged by the exceptional interest in this year’s programme, with more than 200 applicants. It is a clear sign that an increasing number of young people see their future in Bulgarian industry and in companies such as Agropolychim,” said Gergana Koleva, Head of Human Resources.
This year, more than 15 professionals from Agropolychim AD, Rimakem EOOD, Varna West Grain Terminal EAD and Aliphos Bulgaria EOOD are serving as mentors. Through their expertise, commitment and guidance, they will support participants as they take their first steps in a professional industrial environment.
All participants are provided with company transport and meals throughout the programme.
