VOLVO CE has launched its new Iron Women initiative, designed to enable women to access specialised training for operating construction machines.
The programme builds on a concept originally introduced by Volvo Trucks in 2016, which has since helped over 700 women across 10 countries enter the world of truck driving.
Now, for the first time, the model is being adapted for the construction equipment industry, with Volvo CE planning to roll out the scheme in several countries over the coming years in collaboration with local and regional partners.
The first country where the programme will be implemented is Ukraine, where the need for qualified operators has never been more critical. The nation has been forced into ongoing reconstruction efforts, while facing unemployment and labour market gaps. On completion, participants will earn a government-recognised certificate qualifying them to operate both excavators and wheel loaders.
“The Iron Women program tackles our country’s challenges by equipping women with special skills that will enable them to take on a new, stable and rewarding profession in the construction industry, a field traditionally dominated by men, while also helping grow a workforce critical for our nation’s societal development and rebuilding efforts in the long-term,” said Anastasia Marisenkova, program lead at ETS Group, Volvo CE’s retail partner in Ukraine.
The programme will be implemented in Ukraine within the framework of Reskilling Ukraine, an initiative by Beredskapslyftet and supported by Swedish corporate donors and private foundations, as well as the Swedish Government.
Since the start of 2024, over 200 Ukrainian women have been trained as truck or bus drivers, and the project is expanding into new industries and professions.
By the end of 2025, the Iron Women programme aims to have trained at least 50 women in Ukraine, and Volvo CE is actively setting up similar schemes in other countries.
Melker Jernberg, head of Volvo CE, explained, “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. Starting in Ukraine, addressing a critical urgent need, this program will also be rolled out in India and other countries where it can have a positive impact.”
