Volvo CE Starts Iron Women Program to Reskill Operators

Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has introduced the Iron Women program, a vocational initiative aimed at providing specialized training to women for operating construction machinery. The program's first phase will begin in Ukraine, where Volvo CE, ETS Group, and Swedish non-profit Beredskapslyftet have partnered to address the demand for skilled operators amidst ongoing reconstruction efforts. Participants who complete the program will earn government-recognized certification to operate excavators and wheel loaders, opening up job opportunities within the construction and mining sectors.

The Iron Women program is part of a broader effort to reduce gender disparity in industries traditionally dominated by men. Initially introduced by Volvo Trucks in 2016 for truck driving, this model has been adapted by Volvo CE to expand its reach to construction equipment. The initiative will eventually be rolled out to other countries, including India, with plans to reskill more women in the years ahead.

"We believe in the power of people and collaborate closely with the communities in which we operate. The Iron Women program is an excellent initiative that will help fill needed skill gaps, break down gender stereotypes, and contribute to the important shift towards a more inclusive workforce in the construction industry," said Melker Jernberg, Head of Volvo CE.

For more information