Krasnoyarsk 2019 volunteers from Nornickel start preparations for upcoming Winter Universiade

Training courses for employees and family members for the mining company looking to volunteer at the 29th Winter Universiade are underway

Volunteers play a vital role in the smooth and successful running of the Universiade and Krasnoyarsk 2019 organisers want to show the world that a Siberian city can host the world’s warmest Winter Universiade. With the help of the Nornickel mining company, Krasnoyarsk 2019 organisers are actively preparing a team of highly trained and motivated volunteers.

A training programme of 160 future volunteers comprised of Nornickel employees and members of their families began with a kick-off event on 9 November. During the first training block, future volunteers took part in courses on communication management and client orientation.

The training programme was developed by the Siberian Federation University, one of the oldest universities in Russia, which is located in Krasnoyarsk. The second round of training will begin 23 November with classes on conflict competence and teamwork. Most of these future Krasnoyarsk 2019 volunteers live within the Nornickel industrial region. Volunteers outside this area have started with a similar training programme online.

The only requirement for these volunteers is that they are at least 18 years of age at the start of the Winter Universiade. However, potential candidates should also process key qualities in communication, stress resistance, and most importantly, have a great desire to take part in one of the greatest sporting events in the country’s history — the 29th Winter Universiade in the city of Krasnoyarsk.

A large and well-trained team of volunteers is a prerequisite to hosting a major multi-sport competition. Having a General Partner of Krasnoyarsk Winter Universiade like Nornickel independently help prepare the team of volunteers necessary shows the importance of the event to the Krasnoyarsk Region.

“Since it is harder for employees to leave their work place than, for example, for students to leave the school, we ourselves came to Nornickel to train volunteers,” Krasnoyarsk 2019 Deputy Director General, Konstantin Gureev said.

“For Nornickel, sport and people are the most important part of the company’s social responsibility, because sport is associated with team building, endurance, stress resistance, and the ability to overcome obstacles. This is the kind of people who live in the region and do extremely difficult work under severe climatic conditions,” said Yana Grib, Director of the Project Office, whose mission is to organize the activities of Nornickel as the General Partner of the Winter Universiade 2019.

Krasnoyarsk 2019 organisers have already been testing their preparedness for the Winter Universiade by hosting the world championships in ski orienteering last winter. More test events are on tap in Krasnoyarsk for this winter competition season.

“There is no better place to find responsible and warm-hearted volunteers than Nornickel,” added Mrs. Grib. “These are the very human qualities that will contribute to the Games. The Winter Universiade 2019 will be held in Krasnoyarsk. The Krasnoyarsk Territory is the main region of the company’s presence, therefore, it was extremely important for Nornickel to pay attention to this event and create a professional team of volunteers.”

Interviews and meetings with other potential Winter Universiade volunteers who submitted applications will soon begin at the Krasnoyarsk 2019 recruiting centre.