From Machinist to Tractor Driver: Ukrainian Women Changing Stereotypes About 'Male' Professions.

Ukraine supports women in their desire to engage in professions that were once considered exclusively male. The State Employment Service has started an experimental project that provides equal opportunities for women in career development. According to the State Employment Service of Ukraine, 300 women have already begun their training.

This project helps fill job vacancies and assists women in acquiring new professions and securing stable employment. Among the five regions with the highest number of participating employers are Zhytomyr, Volyn, Rivne, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Poltava oblasts.

Selected Professions

• female machinist of woodworking machines,
• female tractor driver,
• female forklift driver.

Within the framework of this program, women can learn 31 professions that were previously considered exclusively male, such as trolleybus driver, crane operator, diagnostics master, and others. The cost of training does not exceed 10 living minimums for working-age individuals, and the difference can be covered by the employer or the participant herself.

Applications from employers to participate in the project are accepted online or offline through the nearest employment center. Labor market studies have shown that the primary demand for workers is observed in trades such as tractor driver, repair locksmith, electric gas welder, and others.