A short film featuring a young engineer from Tata Steel is among the first three films to have been launched by the World Steel Association (worldsteel) to bring to life the exciting and varied career opportunities offered by the world's contemporary steel industry.

Sonja Pitstra appeared in the first video, which is available to view on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pjXEqC54Ic. She works as a production assistant in Cold Mill / Pickling Line 22 at Tata Steel's IJmuiden steelworks, in the Netherlands, having joined the company after an industrial placement. In the film Sonja talks about what her role involves and what she finds most motivating and rewarding about working for a steel producer in the area of innovation.

"What I like is being part of an industry that is still developing and making better steel for better products. I work at a new, high-tech innovative production line. The steel industry is very innovative. What I love about steel is that you see it, feel it everywhere. It's really an essential product in life."

Worldsteel Director General Edwin Basson said: "The steel industry has come a long way in recent years, and today's modern industry is very different from that of the past. Our members employ millions of people around the world, and these employees are using their highly specialised skills to develop innovative new technologies and production methods that will shape the way we live our daily lives - from the cars we drive, to the buildings we live, work and play in.

"We hope the passion and enthusiasm of those who work in the industry shared in these short films will inspire the steel leaders of tomorrow. I'd like to thank Sonja Pitstra and Tata Steel for supporting this important initiative."

More films featuring the views of young people working in the steel industry will be launched by worldsteel members in coming months. The series, called #lovesteel, is the third phase of a digital campaign by worldsteel to inspire young people to think differently about a career in the steel industry.

About Tata Steel in Europe
The European operations of Tata Steel comprise Europe's second largest steel producer. With the main steelmaking operations in the UK and Netherlands, they supply steel and related services to the construction, automotive, packaging, lifting & excavating, energy & power, aerospace and other demanding markets worldwide. The combined Tata Steel group is one of the world's largest steel producers, with an aggregate crude steel capacity of more than 28 million tonnes and approximately 80,000 employees across four continents.

About worldsteel
The World Steel Association (worldsteel) is one of the largest and most dynamic industry associations in the world. worldsteel represents approximately 170 steel producers (including 17 of the world's 20 largest steel companies), national and regional steel industry associations, and steel research institutes. worldsteel members represent around 85% of world steel production.