Can a woman be a successful CNC machine operator or a welder? The experience of KSE ProfTech shows that stereotypes shatter the moment employers see the actual results of the graduates. A practical approach and close cooperation with businesses has enabled the creation of an effective specialist training system.
This was highlighted by Yulia Ohilets, Head of Partnerships at KSE ProfTech, during the advocacy event “NOT a Woman’s Business? Women Changing the Labor Market: From Professional Stereotypes to Systemic Solutions.”
Since KSE ProfTech launched, over 1,000 people have completed training at the center, with women making up about 30% of the trainees. In electronics assembly programs, the share of female students exceeds 50%. The majority of program participants hold higher, mostly non-technical degrees. How exactly does the center help Ukrainian women pivot careers after years of working in entirely different sectors?
Key insights from KSE ProfTech’s work on women’s reskilling:
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Securing access to education is not enough. It is equally important to map out a clear career pathway: how long it takes to master the new specialty, where one can find employment, what income to expect, and what future professional growth prospects entail.
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Hands-on introduction to the profession is a crucial stage. KSE ProfTech regularly hosts open workshops and masterclasses. During these sessions, participants can try electronics soldering, work with welding equipment, or test out a profession using an augmented reality (AR) simulator.
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Practical experience helps overcome self-doubt and changes the perception of technical specialties, which are still often falsely associated strictly with heavy manual labor.
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Reskilling can launch a successful new career for a woman, regardless of her prior experience or age.
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Employers must be ready not just to hire, but to create the right environment.
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An employer’s openness to hiring women must be backed by concrete actions: adapting workstations, upgrading facilities, providing proper working conditions, offering social guarantees, and ensuring opportunities for professional development.
Learn more at KSE ProfTech.
