Alexander Brely’s work is complex and demanding, to put it bluntly, not everyone can handle it. He is a metal and alloy smelter, and has been working for 15 years in the hottest spot of the Gomel plant “Centrolit”—in the smelting and special casting methods shop No. 5.

Being at the heart of the fiery element, taming molten metal pouring from a boiling furnace, is a familiar professional task for him. In his specialty, Alexander sees nothing heroic; he believes that working with fire and metal does not require superhuman abilities or extraordinary physical strength. Much more important, in his view, in the smelting process is attentiveness, precise calculation, and quick reaction.

Thus, life did not immediately bring Alexander to the hot shop of “Centrolit.” After school he decided to study construction, and earned a qualification as a finishing works master.

“My mother worked as a crane operator in shop No. 5 at “Centrolit,” Alexander says. Following her advice, he decided to test his strength and character in a new specialization for himself. Moreover, it was interesting—how from a pile of scrap metal they produce steel of the required grades and high‑strength cast iron.”

Upon arriving at the plant, Alexander Brely became an apprentice to the experienced smelter Igor Dubinin. He learned the practice from him and listened to his advice. He successfully completed retraining at the enterprise without leaving production. He remembers his first smelting under the mentor’s supervision well.

“To be honest, it differed little from all the subsequent ones,” Alexander recalls. “Only the excitement was a bit present,

We were so similar that we were assigned to different crews, to different shifts, so we never had to work side by side in the shop, the interviewee says with a smile.

In his spare time, Alexander enjoys doing finishing and repair work – his hands still remember his former profession as a builder. Laying tiles or laminate, plastering or painting walls is no problem for him.

Helping someone with repairs, assisting relatives, or tidying up his own home – these activities help him switch off from the harsh work of a smelter, Alexander notes. I always feel support and understanding from my family. The job is tough, but I like it.

Alexander Brell has repeatedly been entered onto the union’s shop and factory Boards of Honor and has received certificates. For this year’s Metallurgist’s Day, he received a thank‑you from the Union Council “BelprofMash.”