Portuguese 
Professional qualification has created opportunities for women responsible for household income and relatives of military personnel, with government-recognized certification and job prospects in construction and mining in Ukraine.
A woman takes control of an excavator at a training center near Kyiv, symbolizing a change that has already put more than 200 Ukrainians behind the wheel of trucks and buses since the beginning of 2024. This information was released by Volvo CE, a construction equipment manufacturer and project partner.
On September 23, 2024, a new phase of the Iron Women program was announced to prepare women to operate excavators and loaders. The first group was scheduled to start in October of that year.
The goal was to address the shortage of qualified professionals and to train workers capable of participating in the reconstruction of Ukraine, while gaining access to a more stable profession in a male-dominated sector.
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The operator shortage caused by the war has placed heavy machinery at the center of reconstruction
Ukraine faces a critical shortage of qualified operators while managing recovery efforts and dealing with failures in its labor market. At the same time, part of the population needs to find new sources of income.
Trucks, excavators, and loaders have gained importance because they perform essential tasks for any major construction project. Excavators remove earth and create spaces, while loaders collect, lift, and transport materials within the construction site.
Without trained professionals to operate these machines, jobs in cleaning, mining, and construction can progress more slowly. Thus, training new heavy machinery operators has become economically and socially valuable for the country.
The Iron Women training combines simulators and hands-on practice near Kyiv
The program was organized within Reskilling Ukraine, a professional retraining initiative supported by the Swedish government, companies, and private foundations. The Swedish organization Beredskapslyftet was responsible for selecting participants and overseeing the administrative aspects.
Volvo CE, a construction equipment manufacturer and project partner, detailed the use of simulators, teaching materials, compact excavators, and loaders. Practical classes were led by the ETS Group at a training center near Kyiv.
The exact duration of the course and the total class hours were not disclosed. Specific content on safety and final tests were also not detailed, although the training combines simulator use with practice on real machines.
The simulator allows participants to familiarize themselves with the controls before operating the equipment. Afterwards, practical training develops the necessary skills to operate large machines accurately.
Recognized certification opens doors in construction and mining
Participants who completed the training would receive a certificate recognized by the Ukrainian government. This document would allow them to work with both excavators and wheel loaders.
This qualification could open opportunities in construction and mining companies across Ukraine.
The selection prioritized women solely responsible for their family’s income and relatives of military personnel. These groups face greater financial pressure during the war and may find in the training a new professional opportunity.
Electric Loader Reduces Noise and Eliminates Exhaust Gases During Operation
Among the equipment provided was the first compact electric loader of its kind used in Ukraine. The name of the model was not disclosed in the program’s announcements.
The main difference lies in the power source. Instead of burning diesel while operating, the machine uses electricity, which reduces noise and eliminates exhaust gases during operation.
These features can assist in urban construction sites and areas where noise causes significant disruption. The technology also prepares the participants for a market that is beginning to incorporate electric equipment.
However, the machine represents only a part of the work. Reconstruction still relies on practical training, certified professionals, companies willing to hire, and projects capable of absorbing this workforce.
Over 200 Drivers Paved the Way While New Training Aimed at 50 Operators
The figure of over 200 trained women does not refer to excavator and loader operators. It represents Ukrainian women qualified to drive trucks or buses since early 2024 within a broader retraining initiative.
This project aimed to prepare 1,000 women in various professions by 2025. Meanwhile, the construction machinery segment had its own goal of training at least 50 operators by the end of 2025.
These numbers were targets presented before the first class began. The announcement in September 2024 did not provide a subsequent update confirming how many had completed the course, received the certificate, or started working.
The Iron Women concept emerged in 2016 within the trucking sector and had already enabled over 700 women from 10 countries to enter professional transport. Ukraine was the first country chosen to bring this experience to construction machinery.
Women’s Training Connects Income, Technical Work, and Recovery of Ukrainian Cities
The entry of women into roles previously held mainly by men can reduce the shortage of labor and expand income opportunities for families affected by the war.
The program also demonstrates that reconstruction relies not only on materials and machinery. It requires trained individuals to operate each piece of equipment responsibly and transform professional qualification into employment.
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