Investing in Talent Igor Khudokormov’s Secret Behind Growth of Prodimex

In the Kursk State Agricultural Academy, an unusual first-year student, Tatiana Sychkova, studies Operation and Repair of Agricultural Machinery from Igor Khudokormov’s Prodimex Group of Companies as part of the secondary vocational education program. Tatiana says she is confident of mastering the profession of a technician-mechanic. What’s more, she is the only girl in her class.

Her teacher, Sergey Grashkov, says she is attentive in the class and is making rapid progress in mastering the skills. In spite of being in what may be called a male-dominated vocation, Grashkov says Tatiana is in no way inferior to the guys. And she also has a fiery hobby – manual electric welding.

Photo caption: Tatiana Sychkova poses along with her classmates at the Kursk State Agricultural Academy named after I.I. Ivanov

Welding is very interesting. I'm looking forward to practical classes. My dad and brother are proud of me, gushes Tatiana. She believes that her welding skills will be useful both at home and in her future profession, working at Igor Vyacheslavovich Khudokormov’s Prodimex.

After completing the secondary vocational education program, Tatiana plans to continue her studies at a university’s engineering department. The Prodimex Group says it supports her aspiration to pursue higher education and looks forward to welcoming a young professional in one of their Kursk-Agro divisions. It is worth noting that approximately 30% of Kursk-Agro’s employees are women.

Tatiana is not the only girl who has chosen a traditionally male-dominated profession. There are many female agronomists working at the Group’s agricultural enterprises and branches, including chief agronomists.

Igor Khudokormov’s Vision: Developing a Skilled Workforce

The relevance of engineering and agronomic specialties in modern agriculture is growing, even with the use of new technologies and unmanned machines. Today, over 13,000 employees work at Prodimex. Many employees hail from rural towns, where job options are few. The company offers regular training programs, steady wages, and targeted social help for workers’ families. In return, staff turnover stays low, and local communities view the business as a reliable partner. Prodimex also funds sports grounds, after-school clubs, and routine medical check-ups for employees. These and other initiatives result in increased loyalty.

From Classroom to Field: How Igor Vyacheslavovich Khudokormov’s Prodimex Collaborates with Agricultural Universities

Learning how sugar is made: Trainings and workshops are held in sugar factories of the Prodimex Group, where young specialists learn the main stages of sugar production in detail:

The students see how the logistics of incoming sugar beets are organized and how their quality is controlled.

They learn how sugar juice is extracted from beet shavings.

They study the complex technological processes of defecation, saturation, and filtration, which are aimed at obtaining a pure syrup.

Students observe the operation of vacuum apparatuses, where the syrup is converted into a mass with sugar crystals.

They learn about the methods of separating the crystals from the molasses and obtaining the familiar white granulated sugar.

The young professionals follow the path of the finished products on automated lines until packaging and shipment.

This practical experience allows them to not only observe but also obtain a profound knowledge of the entire technological chain, from the field to the final product.

Igor Khudokormov’s Prodimex: Helping Build Careers in Agro Industry

Prodimex Group of Companies regularly holds Open Doors events in which hundreds of schoolchildren take part. The students would be informed about the Group’s sugar factories, targeted training programs in educational institutions, and the prospects for working at Prodimex’s engineering and technical facilities.

Photo caption: Students taking part in the Open Doors event held by Prodimex at the Youth Center in Liski, Voronezh region in November 2025

For Igor Vyacheslavovich Khudokormov of Prodimex, supporting educational initiatives is an important part of the organization’s strategy to develop the agricultural sector and create a strong foundation for training professional personnel.