“Never stand still, because you will definitely encounter something interesting along the way,” says Maxim, a student who is changing his life today with the help of the Charitable оrganization “Charitable Foundation SHCHEDRYK” and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).
Six months ago, Maxim knew tractors only “from the inside,” because as a mechanic’s assistant, he had studied every screw and complex system, but his heart always called him to the field. Maxim dreamed not only of bringing machinery back to life, but of being behind the wheel himself.
Today, that dream is finally coming true. Maksym is one of 15 future tractor drivers who have been learning a new profession step by step since last October. Behind them are five months of intensive training: every day, the guys immersed themselves in agricultural technology, studied the intricacies of production, and learned the complex structure of the equipment.
They are now on the home stretch – the production practice stage. Twelve students are honing their skills at a leading enterprise in Mykolaiv region, where potential jobs await them, while three others are doing internships at farms they have chosen themselves. So soon, the iron horses will be in reliable hands!
Maksym learned about the program from his colleagues. For him, it was an opportunity not only to improve his qualifications, but also to completely change his professional direction—from technical maintenance to direct management of equipment.
“I find driving incredibly interesting. The instructors have already given us training, and now I am fascinated by watching experienced drivers—there is a lot to learn from them,” Maxim shares.
He adds that he is thrilled that he can already get behind the wheel today and feel the tractor. Therefore, in the near future, he sees himself as a tractor driver performing complex maneuvers when planting and harvesting crops that will eventually end up on the shelves of not only our local supermarkets, but also international ones. After all, for Maxim, this is not just a job, but a mission — to work on his native land, where he is needed today and now, despite all the challenges.
The training course will last a total of seven months. In May, students will take their final exams. Maxim admits that without the support of donors and organizers, he probably would not have dared to take such a step.
This project is not just about new tractor driver licenses. It is about restoring life in frontline regions, about food security, and about people who, like Maksym, are not afraid to start from scratch for the sake of a common victory on the agricultural front, says project manager Vitaliy Dzhezhar.