Energy is one of the most demanding technical sectors. It operates with a high level of responsibility, safety and long-term impacts on society. That is why it requires not only top-notch technical knowledge, but also the ability to see things from different angles, connecting experiences, generations and ways of thinking.
Diversity and inclusion are not fashionable terms here, but an essential part of high-quality and safe solutions.
The PPA CONTROLL Group operates not only in the energy industry in its narrowest sense, but also in a wider spectrum of technical and engineering activities - from electrical installations, distribution systems, supplies of energy technologies and technical infrastructure, to transport, logistics and industrial solutions, which are covered by several subsidiaries.
It has long proven that the tech world does not have to be monotonous or closed. On the contrary, the diversity of people, their stories, and professional paths is becoming one of its natural competitive advantages.
Female managers and experts from subsidiaries belonging to the PPA CONTROLL group agree that diversity in technical professions goes far beyond the issue of gender. It is about diversity of experience, education, cultural background, age and way of thinking.
This diversity is also reflected in the variety of professional backgrounds - from nuclear and conventional energy, through distribution systems, electrical installations and industrial projects, to technical support for transport and logistics within the subsidiaries PPA ENERGO, LiV ELEKTRA and PPA POWER DS.
"Each of us brings something of our own to the team – a different perspective, experience, way of thinking or skills. In technical professions, this is key," says Jana Petnuchová, Business Development Manager at PPA ENERGO, which works on projects in the field of nuclear energy and international cooperation.
Natália Ťapajnová, distribution systems manager at PPA POWER DS, also perceives diversity in a similar way, according to whom connecting the views of younger and more experienced colleagues is of fundamental importance: "The combination of energy, motivation, and new ideas with years of experience brings balanced decision-making and better results."
PPA CONTROLL operates in the field of complex engineering solutions, significantly in an international environment and on technically and culturally diverse projects. This is where the practical value of diversity is shown. It is the ability to better understand clients, partners and local specifics.
It is the connection of various expertise - energy, electrical installation, distribution, industrial or technical-logistics - that creates an environment within the PPA CONTROLL group where the experiences of individual subsidiaries complement and strengthen each other.
"When a team is made up of people with different nationalities, professions and experiences, we learn from each other not only about working methods but also about the way we think. In practice, this means a better approach to clients and a faster understanding of their expectations," Jana Petnuchová explains the group's key setup.
At PPA CONTROLL, diversity is not a declared value on paper, but a functional part of project work, from technical solutions to managerial decision-making, in the daily combination of the perspectives of younger and more experienced colleagues.
"All of this helps the company make more balanced and responsible decisions," adds Natália Ťapajnová.
After her doctorate at the Slovak University of Technology, she joined ENERGO PPA directly to the completion of the Mochovce nuclear power plant. She perceived the technical environment as a space for intensive learning and growth. "From the beginning, I had the opportunity to engage in technical work. I became very aware of how important it is to have experienced colleagues around me. Every day brought new tasks and situations that helped me develop in this area," she says.
Operates within the PPA subsidiary POWER DS, which focuses on distribution systems and technical infrastructure. Her professional journey began with the decision to go technical when choosing a university. Although she studied a different industry, her openness to learning and expanding her knowledge allowed her to naturally fit into the technical environment of the PPA CONTROLL group. “Even if you don’t study a specific industry, your desire to learn allows you to gain the necessary experience directly on the job,” she confirms.
Technology has been close to her since childhood. "Ever since I was little, I was more fascinated by cars than dolls. Technology has never been something foreign to me," says Patrícia Jančušková from LiV ELEKTRA. Studying at a traffic school and working in transport provided her with a solid foundation that she applies today within the group. "I see diversity as a source of productivity and profitability for teams."
The decision to pursue an engineering education was a natural step. Today, he applies his professional experience in a subsidiary company. LiV ELEKTRA, which is also part of the PPA CONTROLL group and operates in the field of technical and electrical installation solutions. She found an environment where theory turns into concrete results and where technical expertise has room to develop. “Technology is about finding solutions that have a real impact, and different perspectives in a team lead to faster and better solutions,” she says.
Diversity in the PPA CONTROLL group is not only reflected in the team structure, but also in way of workingIt allows for more risks and opportunities to be taken into account when making decisions, brings new ideas when innovating, and accelerates the search for effective solutions when solving problems.
Diversity however, it only makes sense if it is supported by an inclusive environmentIn our group of companies, this is reflected in the systematic support of education, mentoring and professional growth.
Employees have access to professional training, seminars, fairs and development tools such as the Gallup questionnaire, which helps them better understand their own strengths and collaborate more effectively in teams. "Education, mentoring and developing strengths are a natural part of the company culture," says Victoria Uhlíková.
A strong signal is also the fact that the PPA CONTROLL group has female role model in top management, Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board Darina Pavlů. "This clearly shows that career growth in a technical environment is not limited by gender, but by abilities and results," confirms Natália Ťapajnová, adding: "The presence of a female role model in technical top management is a strong signal that the door is open."
Experience confirms that Yes"Teams with diverse experiences bring higher productivity and profitability," states Patrícia Jančušková.
This is also confirmed by the findings of renowned international studies, according to which Companies with diverse personnel achieve better economic results, are more innovative and more resilient to crises.
In addition to higher productivity and profitability, diversity also brings:
Diversity in PPA CONTROLL is not a trend, but the functional basis of quality technical workIt is thanks to it that safe, innovative and sustainable solutions are created - and an environment where women and men have equal space to grow and contribute to the future of energy.
It is the connection of experts from different parts of the group - from energy to distribution systems to technical and electrical installation projects of subsidiaries - that makes diversity in the group a practical reality, not an abstract concept.
They show that the technical world of energy is more open, diverse and humane today than ever before. Diversity is not an end in itself, but a means to better solutions, safer projects and sustainable growth.
PPA CONTROLL thus confirms that a modern technical company is based not only on technology, but above all on people - and on the ability to create an environment where every space can grow, contribute, and be respected.
Managers in subsidiaries of the PPA CONTROLL group agree that the future of technical professions will be shaped not only by technological advances and the advent of AI, but also changing expectations of younger generations.
Generation Z is looking for meaning, flexibility and room for growth. For the PPA CONTROLL group, this means a challenge, but also an opportunity – to create an environment where expertise, a modern way of working and respect for diversity of views come together, concludes Jana Petnuchová.
