"If you dream of working as a truck driver, don't stop. You have to get behind the wheel and drive. As they say, ‘the eyes fear, but the hands do’. says Oksana Panchoshna.

"It's a dream from childhood"

Oksana Panchoshna, one of the graduates of the OnTrack: Truck Driver program, is among 250 Ukrainian women (as of October 2024) who have successfully retrained and found jobs after graduation.‍

"I am now a private entrepreneur, but I have always dreamed of driving big trucks. One day my mom saw a story about the Reskilling Ukraine project and suggested I try it. I filled out a questionnaire, passed all the selection stages, and passed the C category exam on the first try,“ Oksana says.She had heard of Autologistics before, as she lives near their office.‍

”I felt comfortable during the interview because I knew that there were already female drivers working here. It gave me confidence. After the interview, I had a test drive with an instructor who checked my skills. Although it was a little scary at first, his support helped me adapt, and I passed the test successfully. After that, I was hired."

“We're all on the same page here.”

Oksana notes that the team at Autologistics is very understanding of women, actively supporting newcomers, explaining all the work-related issues and helping them cope with difficulties.‍

“I usually travel with Victoria (also an OnTrack alumna), and it's always more fun and easier together,” - says Oksana. She has already made six trips to Kyiv and Cherkasy regions and is now preparing for her first business trip to Sweden.‍

"We have a special app for tracking tasks. Before the flight, we inspect the car, take pictures, check its technical condition, and then go to the customer. Everything is clear and understandable, and most importantly, I can always ask the team for help."

“They won't let you climb under the hood”

There is a perception that truck drivers should repair their vehicles or load goods themselves. However, Oksana explains that this is not the case at Autologistics: "Our task is just to drive the truck. In case of malfunctions, there are other employees who are responsible for maintenance. Everyone has to do their job.“‍

”I wanted silence, and I got it."

What attracts Oksana to this job the most is the calmness and the ability to focus on her work:

Peace of mind and the ability to concentrate while working without constant contact with a large number of people.

Respect and support from colleagues, consideration of women's needs in the workplace.

The dynamics of work and the opportunity to travel. Flexible schedule and comfortable working conditions.