Amid the rapid development of mechanical engineering, there is increasing talk of modern technologies, automation, digitalization, and the robotization of production. But no matter how advanced the equipment may be, behind every high-tech product there is still a person whose craftsmanship determines the quality of the final product.

At the KARLSKRONA LC AB plant, one such specialist is top-tier lathe operator Alexander Chernykh. He has been working at the plant for nearly fifteen years, and his total experience in the profession exceeds three decades. During this time, thousands of parts have passed through his hands, becoming components of equipment for the oil and gas, nuclear, and energy industries.

Today, Alexander Nikolaevich not only works in a modern manufacturing facility but also passes on his experience to young professionals, helping to shape a new generation of mechanical engineers.

Alexander Nikolayevich admits that his interest in the profession began in childhood.

“I’ve always been fascinated by how a precision part is created from an ordinary metal blank. There’s a special beauty to turning: you work with metal, blueprints, dimensions, and tolerances, and the final result depends on your hands.”

According to him, lathe work requires not only professional skills but also a special attitude toward the job.

“You can’t rush or take a superficial approach here. Every millimeter, every hundredth of a millimeter matters. Over time, I realized that being a lathe operator isn’t just a blue-collar job. It’s a craft that involves engineering thinking, responsibility, and respect for work.”

Today, Alexander Chernykh not only manufactures parts but also trains young specialists. Mentoring has long been an integral part of his work.

“When the young people I trained just a few months ago are already working confidently at the lathe, I feel a real sense of pride. It means my experience is becoming part of the plant’s future.”

According to him, people are the greatest asset in modern manufacturing.

“When you see that the shop is consistently meeting its targets, you realize that every effort counts. You feel like more than just an employee—you feel like someone who influences the overall result.”

Responsibility Starts with Every Detail

Over the years, Alexander Nikolayevich has come to believe that quality begins with the responsibility of every specialist.

“When you see the result of your work—a precision part that will become part of complex equipment and will operate at nuclear power or oil production facilities—you feel a special sense of responsibility. I've always believed that if you take on a task, you should do it in such a way that you wouldn't be ashamed to put your name on it.”

Today, the machine-building industry is changing rapidly. Modern manufacturing requires not only labor but also in-depth technical knowledge.

“There won’t be such a thing as a ‘simple lathe operator’ for much longer. There will be specialists who understand metal, software, the entire production cycle, and quality standards. Young people want to understand why they’re doing a particular job, and that’s the right attitude.”

According to Alexander Chernykh, it is precisely the combination of modern technologies and a strong engineering tradition that will enable the domestic machine-building industry to develop successfully.

“The company is growing and expanding onto the international stage, and I’m proud that we’re already working to standards recognized by international customers, including on projects in India and Turkey. I want young professionals to see our profession not as hard labor, but as an opportunity for professional growth and respect. As long as we pass on our knowledge, this profession has a future.”

Investing in People — The Foundation of Development

Today, KARLSKRONA LC AB places special emphasis on developing its workforce’s potential. The company implements dual education, mentoring, and internship programs in collaboration with technical universities. Young professionals have the opportunity to work directly with state-of-the-art equipment, mastering modern technologies under the guidance of experienced foremen and engineers.

The company notes that design engineers, process engineers, automation specialists, CNC machine operators, foundry workers, and lathe operators are particularly in demand today. This is precisely why training its own workforce and passing on expertise have become key priorities for the company’s development.

According to Talgat Bazarbekov, Director of the Executive Directorate of the Association of Kazakhstan Machinery Industry, the development of the domestic machine-building industry today is impossible without qualified specialists who are ready to pass on their experience to the younger generation.

“Modern manufacturing is not just about new technologies and equipment, but first and foremost about people. It is thanks to professionals like Alexander Chernykh that the best manufacturing traditions are preserved, a talent pool is built, and generational continuity is ensured. Today, the task of enterprises is not only to produce competitive products but also to train young specialists who will shape the future of the domestic machine-building industry,” noted Talgat Bazarbekov.

Today, Kazakhstan’s machine-building industry is experiencing demand for both engineering and technical specialists and skilled workers. The stories of professionals such as Alexander Chernykh show that the development of modern manufacturing is impossible without people who are ready to pass on their knowledge, preserve professional traditions, and train a new generation of machine builders.