Yulia Kartalapova, driver of international buses at KLR bus

How did you hear about Reskilling Ukraine?

My mom told me about a pilot project from the Ministry of Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine - free training for women to become truckers. This news made me sad. The fact is that I have had my category C - truck driver - open since the 11th grade. This is my first profession, which I received while studying at the Kamianske Interschool Training and Production Complex. At that time, we learned practical skills by driving a GAZ 53A truck. And it immediately became clear to me that I would not be accepted into the project because I was already an official trucker. However, a GAZ trucker or, at least, a ZIL truck, which I used to pass the CE category exam. So to speak, a modern European driver :-)

I decided that I would look for the organizers of the pilot project and thus find those who would teach the girls how to drive modern trucks. I should thank Uncle Google's algorithms for that. My first recommendation was the official website of Reskilling Ukraine. When I saw the questionnaire for the selection of participants for bus driver training, I filled it out without any hesitation. To be honest, the interview with the Reskilling Ukraine representative was quite difficult. We talked for an hour and a half. Other participants said that they had short interviews of up to 15 minutes. It became clear later that it was hard for the Reskilling Ukraine representative to believe that a woman who has a stable job and has worked in an office all her life was ready to drastically change the vector of her life. Fortunately, I managed to find the right words to convince her.

Why did you decide to become a bus driver?

It is important and at the same time very difficult to understand what you want. It is you. Not your lover, not your only son, not your parents, not the expectations of today's environment. What do you want? Ask yourself this question and hear yourself, your answer. Perhaps you will become clear instantly, while others will need time.

It took me years to hear myself. My impulsive search for myself led to three degrees and a bunch of different kinds of cards in the form of licenses and certificates, which proved my knowledge in various areas, industries and spheres. I sincerely envy people who have had everything work out from day one. They don't know that awful feeling when you hold a coveted piece of paper in your hands and suddenly realize that it's just another false peak.

But driving a double-decker bus instantly put the puzzle together. Every time I approach the bus and ask myself: “Yulia, what do you want?” The answer is always the same - to get behind the wheel, get on the highway and drive. Being a bus driver is an extremely responsible job. And at the same time, it is very underestimated by society and employers.

Bus drivers sew this world together. A full-scale invasion has closed the Ukrainian sky. And international bus drivers are among those who keep families and friendships together, and influence hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians' lives. They are tirelessly pressing the gas so that they can meet their relatives and friends as soon as possible, so that they can get to school, work or medical treatment on time.

One day, an employee of the KLR bus office, Ms. Oksana, asked me if I liked the job of an international driver. I jokingly replied that I would be retired from my position as a bus driver. A colleague promised me that KLR bus would give me a carpet in honor of my retirement. Well, the carpet is the carpet.

How was the interview at KLR Bus?

Did they ask you anything interesting or specific that they paid attention to? Before the interview at KLR bus, I had several interviews at the company for the position of customs broker, where they required a detailed resume and filling out a bunch of questionnaires. In addition, I was simultaneously preparing a package of documents for the position of an office management and document management specialist at the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. My qualifications for the position at the Ministry were described on three sheets, and I had a separate file with a copy of all my diplomas, certificates of advanced training and various online/offline training. Both at the interview for the position of a customs broker and in the package of documents for the ministry, I had to convince employers that I had enough knowledge and experience. As one of my friends says, I had to prove to everyone that I don't drink from a puddle.

But the interview at KLR bus was quick and straight to the point. It was conducted by director Ivanna Ivankova and logistician Yurii Shtokaliuk. They immediately told me in detail about the working conditions at KLR bus, the details of organizing trips and paying for them. I was already charged with the job of a driver, and after the interview with them, I was absolutely convinced that I had knocked on the right door.

The interview was conducted for me and another Reskilling Ukraine participant, Natalia Shumik. Looking ahead, we both work for KLR bus.

We were asked the following questions:

1. Do you have a driver's license with category D?

2. Do you have a chip card for the tachograph?

3. What is your total driving experience?

4. What was your previous job?

We were not asked for resumes, copies of employment records, or any other diplomas/certificates. On the same day, we drove around Khmelnytskyi on a double-decker Van Hool bus with an experienced crew of KLR bus drivers. The crew informed the management that we had enough skills to work for the company. In the next few days, we went on our first training trips.‍

How was the interview at KLR Bus? Did they ask you anything interesting or specific that they paid attention to?

Before the interview at KLR bus, I had several interviews at the company for the position of customs broker, where they required a detailed resume and filling out a bunch of questionnaires. In addition, I was simultaneously preparing a package of documents for the position of an office management and document management specialist at the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. My qualifications for the position at the Ministry were described on three sheets, and I had a separate file with a copy of all my diplomas, certificates of advanced training and various online/offline training. Both at the interview for the position of a customs broker and in the package of documents for the ministry, I had to convince employers that I had enough knowledge and experience. As one of my friends says, I had to prove to everyone that I don't drink from a puddle.Instead, the interview at KLR bus was quick and straight to the point. It was conducted by director Ivanna Ivankova and logistician Yurii Shtokaliuk. They immediately told me in detail about the working conditions at KLR bus, the details of organizing trips and paying for them. I was already charged with the job of a driver, and after the interview with them I was absolutely convinced that I had knocked on the right door. The interview was conducted for me and another Reskilling Ukraine member, Natalia Shumik. Looking ahead, we both work for KLR bus. We were asked the following questions: 1. Do you have a driver's license with category D? 2. Do you have a chip card for the tachograph? 3. What is your total driving experience? 4. What was your previous job? We were not asked for resumes, copies of employment records or any other diplomas/certificates. On the same day, we drove around Khmelnytskyi on a double-decker Van Hool bus with an experienced crew of KLR bus drivers. The crew informed the management that we had enough skills to work for the company. In the next few days, we went on our first training trips.

What do you like most about this job?

You see, my career as a bus driver started with KLR bus, which is one of the leaders in the European transportation market. That's why I can't help but like this job. KLR bus has its own international terminal in the city of Khmelnytskyi. The buses are as modern and comfortable as possible. Under such conditions, passengers are satisfied from the beginning of the trip. Drivers are given the opportunity to improve and master new routes. Thanks to this job, I learned to quickly adapt to different types of bus driving. In KLR bus, all drivers are the best by default. The crews I have worked with are always supportive and share their experience. I like the fact that I have more free time and a better financial situation. Previously, I worked as an economist, received UAH 15 thousand in hand and was busy from Monday to Friday from morning to evening. Now I have a freer schedule and earn more. And I don't have to fly to work on a weekday morning, but can sleep in and go for a manicure and pedicure.

What difficulties did you face in this work?

Personally, the long wait to cross the border between Ukraine and Poland is the most difficult for me. In the European Union, you can tell where another country begins by a road sign. Sometimes border guards can check passports, like when crossing the Polish-German border. But crossing the border with a neighboring country is a challenge. On the eve of the New Year's holidays, 25-30 buses were waiting to enter and exit the Ukrainian-Polish border. On average, it takes an hour for one bus to complete the border crossing procedure (this is assuming that the passengers' documents are in order and no violations are detected). My personal record for time spent at the border is 20 hours. The first flights were physically difficult. The body needs time to adapt. You just have to stay for this period. Over time, the body adjusts to traveling by bus. For example, at the beginning, my ears were very stuffy on the bus. But with each trip, this inconvenience is less and less of a concern.

Are there any female drivers in the company?

Do you work together? KLR bus officially employs 7 female drivers. Some of the girls came from the trolleybus fleet, from taxis. But there are also economists, lawyers, and the head of a condominium. It was much easier for me to start working at KLR bus. The girls who were the first to come had to endure a difficult stage of resistance from their male colleagues. Crews were angry when they put girls on the bus. But the drivers were always supported by the administration, especially the director Ivanna Anatoliivna. She tirelessly repeated at every briefing: “Guys, there will be girls working for KLR bus. They will travel abroad. This is not negotiable.” Today, the crews are angry that they are not assigned girls. The female drivers work shifts alongside the male drivers. Previously, they only drove in Poland. Now girls are being put on longer and longer trips to Germany and the Czech Republic.
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What would you say to women who want to become professional drivers but are stopped by fear and doubt?

I have already had a moment in my driving life when a driver from another carrier was driving towards me on the highway in Poland. It was a matter of seconds. But we managed to wave at each other, as is customary among bus drivers. No one is surprised by truckers in Europe anymore. It won't be long before female bus drivers will be commonplace. KLR bus passengers are not surprised by female drivers at all. Those who travel with KLR bus have even memorized the names of the drivers. More and more passengers travel with me like good old friends. We even hug each other when we meet. The market conditions for the profession of international driver have changed in Ukraine. A window of opportunity has opened for girls. Unfortunately, this is due to the full-scale invasion. Those carriers who assess the entire set of economic conditions in time will become leaders.