The She Drives project to train and employ bus drivers is a window into a dream. Interview with a project participant

MAPA has repeatedly talked about She Drives, a project that opens the way for women to acquire a new profession as bus drivers. 

Recently, we had the opportunity to get to know one of the project participants, Tetiana Yurkevych, who now works as a picker at «Epicenter K» and volunteers at the «Spilno» children's point at one of Kyiv's railway stations. 

Tetiana has already completed a theoretical and practical bus driving course, passed her exams, received a category «D» driver's license, and is now looking for a job.  

Read our article to find out what motivated her to join the initiative, how the training is going, and what challenges she is facing.

- How did you find out about the project?

- I saw a call for applications on social media. I immediately filled out the application form and sent it in. However, I did not believe that I would be in the project until the organizers called me for an additional interview. Actually, I had been thinking about changing something in my life for a long time, but I always lacked a «push», and the She Drives project was exactly the push that opened the way to my dream. 

- How did you feel when you learned that you had been selected to participate?

- Confused. Nowadays, life is such that you get excited about something, do it, and then problems and reality take up all your time. I didn't expect to be chosen, I didn't check my mail because of my workload. When they called and asked if there was an opportunity to take the training, of course, I agreed and sent the necessary documents.

I really like driving a car. In addition, I am a fighter in life, I like to open new horizons and master unusual professions.

- How did your training and exams go?

- I took theory and practice at the Training and Course Combine. I am very grateful to my teacher, instructors and supervisors - they supported me at every stage. I passed the theory exam on the first try.

The practice took place according to an individual schedule for each participant. Our group was one of the first to take the exam in Kyiv and the regions, so everyone was very nervous. No one knew exactly how it would go and what route they would have to take. There were fears that the route would be short, although the exam should last at least 20 minutes.

During the exam, the instructor closely monitored my actions and asked me to explain why I made certain decisions. For example, there was a situation when I had to let other cars pass when entering the site, but the driver in front of me indicated that I should go through. The instructor asked me why I did that, and I explained everything. Explaining these points and my practiced bus driving skills allowed me to pass the «D» category exam on the first try. 

- Where would you like to work?

- I am currently looking for a bus driver job in Kyiv. I am considering the possibility of employment at Kyivpastrans. Of course, there should be an internship to gain experience before working on the routes, but I am ready for this and understand that I can cope with this task. I like to travel, so I think I want to master this profession.

- Have you ever encountered stereotypes that women are bad drivers?

- There are a lot of stereotypes, but women have long since mastered the vast majority of professions that were previously considered male. I have a strong character, and in my life, few people have told me: «t's not your job, you can't handle it». Nowadays, there is no such word as «impossible».

- Did you notice any systemic problems during your studies?

- I would like to say that everything is perfect. Actually, in terms of training and instruction, it is. But there are factors that are difficult to ignore: the quality of the road surface, imperfect ventilation in the bus interior. I hope that very soon we will have roads like those in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, which would be the same in rain or shine.

The pilot project for the training and employment of bus drivers is being implemented by the NGO Institutional Development Foundation at the initiative of the Ministry of Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine in partnership with UN Women and with financial support from Sweden.