Ukrainian women offered a free training to become excavator operators

Source: Ukraine’s economy ministry

On Thursday, Ukraine’s economy ministry unveiled a retraining program that will help Ukrainian women learn to operate heavy construction machinery, like excavators and front loaders.

The “Iron Women” program offers a combination of online courses and hands-on training with Volvo equipment, including the first electric wheel loader in Ukraine.  The program participants can receive professional certifications of an excavator operator and a loader operator, which will allow them to work at any sites except public roads.

“We’ve launched various retraining and education programs to help women improve their job prospects and competitiveness. Thousands of Ukrainian women now have the opportunity to master new, in-demand skills and advance their professional expertise,” said Tetiana Berezhna, Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine.

Women aged 18 and over with a valid driver’s license are eligible to participate while the Reskilling Ukraine project will cover the cost of training, accommodation, and meals. The pilot group will include 12 women.