Volodymyr Kaliuzhnyi: from mining to welding
“Without this project, who knows if I’d have found the courage to change professions at all? Now I have a profession that allows me to start a new chapter here in Dnipropetrovsk region and plan a future for myself and my family,”
says Volodymyr, an IDP from Donetsk region and a Skills for Inclusion project participant
After being forced to leave Donetsk region, Volodymyr had to find his place in the labour market all over again. He had many years of experience working in a mine and as a fitter, but he was unable to find stable work in his trade in Dnipropetrovsk region. Several employers turned him down in favour of younger candidates.
At 52, Volodymyr faced a choice: continue relying on temporary jobs or try a new profession. The Skills for Inclusion project gave him the opportunity to train as an electric and gas welder free of charge.
Volodymyr had done basic welding at home and had long been interested in the profession. He did not apply for the training straight away. After many years working in another trade, starting something new was not easy. But the prospect of having more employment opportunities outweighed his doubts.
Practical training at a company is an important part of the project. Volodymyr is already using modern equipment, carrying out work-related tasks and learning from experienced specialists in the workplace.
“I’m glad I’ve started learning a new profession. I’m currently doing a placement at a local company, where I carry out many interesting tasks on my own. I can see that electric and gas welding is right for me. I still have a lot to learn, so I often ask my instructors and experienced colleagues at the company for advice. I’m grateful to the project for giving me the chance to restart my career,” he said.
The training programme covers reading technical drawings and documentation, selecting electrodes, preparing surfaces for welding, and techniques for making welds in different positions. Volodymyr says many tasks seemed difficult at first, but support from his instructor, working alongside experienced colleagues and his own determination gradually helped him gain confidence.
It is especially important to Volodymyr that he can apply what he has learnt straight away in real working conditions. This experience helps him better understand the requirements of the profession and prepare for work after completing the training.
Volodymyr is continuing his training. It is giving him what he particularly needed after relocating: the opportunity to change his career path, gain practical experience and look for stable work in his new home with greater confidence.
This is one of the key values of the Skills for Inclusion project: helping people who have lost their usual professional footing because of the war, displacement or other circumstances gain new skills and create real employment opportunities for themselves.
Background
The project “Skills for inclusion: vocational and workplace-based training for activating Ukraine's workforce” is implemented by the NGO “Ukrainian Professional Development” with financial support from the European Union, Germany, Poland, Estonia and Denmark within the Multi Donor Initiative Skills4Recovery, implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and the Solidarity Fund PL (SFPL).