Winter school for bus and truck drivers

During two eventful days, participants not only gained new knowledge but also established relationships, openly discussed professional challenges, and together sought answers to questions about career development.

Oleksandr Zershchikov, a driving instructor and founder of the Modern Drivers Club, conducted a training module on safe driving in extreme weather conditions. Participants received theoretical and practical advice on driving buses and trucks in winter, analyzed typical risks on the road, and algorithms for action in difficult and non-standard situations.

An important part of the program was first aid training from the Ukrainian Red Cross Society. Participants practiced actions in the event of an accident and emergency and also consolidated practical skills in providing first aid.

Career development became another focus of the winter school. Kateryna Zhuchenya, an expert at Happy Monday, held a session on professional opportunities in the transport industry, building a desired career path, motivation, and self-confidence.

A practical continuation of this topic was a job fair, where employers from the passenger and freight transportation sector presented current vacancies and employment conditions. The fair was attended by KP "Kyivpastrans", KP "Zaporizhelectrotrans", KP "Misky trolleybus", KP "Poltavaelectroavtotrans", as well as private companies Zeleny Slon 7, KLR, Trans-Logistik, Fozzy Group Logistics and MHP.

The culmination of the Winter School was a strategic session on the creation of the Association of Women in the Transport Sector. Together with facilitator Natalia Selyukova, the participants worked on a common vision of the purpose, role, and values ​​of the future association, and also discussed formats of cooperation, advocacy, and mutual support in the professional community.

“This event reminded me why all this is needed. When you are faced with disappointment, promises without results, and devaluation from the market, it is effortless to give up. But communicating with women who have really changed their lives and found themselves in the transport sector restores faith and inner support. Such meetings inspire, give a sense of community, and charge you with confidence that you have potential and it is worth trying further. Thank you for the space that supports and helps not to give up”, – Larisa Pavlushko, bus driver, participant of the She Drives project.

“I really liked the session from Oleksandr Zershchikov. He really shared information that will be helpful on the road. For me, this event was a real confirmation that I was on the right track. Two days were not enough because they were so rich, warm, and valuable. The atmosphere, the content, the people – everything was at a high level. For me, this is great support and motivation. Thank you very much for this experience,” – Valentina Chernova, truck driver, participant in the She Drives project.

The project "Expanding the professional potential of women in the field of transportation" is being implemented by the NGO Foundation for Institutional Development on the initiative of the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, in partnership with UN Women and under the financial support from the governments of France, Poland and Sweden.

Photo: UN Women/Anton Borysiuk