On 30 July, representatives of DTEK Energy took part in the all-Ukrainian online conference “Women in Masculine Professions: New Fields, New Opportunities”, organised by the career and business hub VONA. The event brought together more than 200 participants — representatives of business and of educational projects, and women who have already successfully found their place in professions traditionally considered male.
Within the thematic session “Women in Technical Professions: How Business Opens Up New Opportunities”, DTEK presented its own experience of attracting, training and developing women in production occupations. The company’s speakers were representatives of DTEK Energy and DTEK Grids, who spoke about the professional path, challenges and opportunities for the career growth of women in technical fields.
The company’s presentation was opened by Kateryna Zihanshyna, Head of the Employment Centre at DTEK Energy, who spoke about the company’s systematic work to attract and professionally develop women. She stressed that, amid a shortage of personnel and the transformation of the labour market, DTEK consistently creates conditions for training, retraining and career self-realisation regardless of gender, opening up new professional opportunities for women in production and technical fields.
Representatives of various DTEK Energy enterprises shared their success stories.
Olena Melnykova, Head of the Procurement and Preparation Shop at Pershotravenskyi Repair and Engineering Plant, spoke about her own professional path after moving to Western Donbas. Having started work at the enterprise as a technical inspection/quality controller, in less than a few years she came to head a production unit that prepares equipment for the complex repairs required by the mines. Today, Olena successfully manages a large, predominantly male team and is convinced that the main qualities of a manager are professionalism, responsibility and the ability to work with people.
Kateryna Didenko, Manager of the Motor Transport Service at Ladyzhynska TPP, spoke about working in one of the plant’s key production services. Her professional path at the enterprise began 14 years ago in the position of storekeeper. She later worked as a dispatcher and a mechanic, and today she heads the service that ensures the uninterrupted operation of transport at the plant. Sixteen drivers work under her leadership, operating 24 units of machinery and carrying out dozens of tasks every day to transport personnel and cargo. Their work became especially important during the full-scale war, when, after shelling of the plant, the drivers of special-purpose vehicles and loaders helped to clear rubble and deal with the aftermath of the attacks. Kateryna is convinced that women should not be afraid of complex technical professions, because persistence, learning and belief in one’s own abilities help to achieve success in any field.
Another speaker was Olha Khandryha, Deputy Head of the Mine Transport Section at Dniprovske Mine Office. She has been working in the mining industry for more than two decades. Having started her career as a surface electric locomotive operator, Olha obtained a degree as a mining engineer and worked her way up to a managerial position. Today, more than 230 employees work under her management, and she herself is responsible for the safe and uninterrupted operation of the mine transport. Her story became an example of how professionalism, persistence and love for one’s work help to achieve outstanding results in the mining industry.
For many years now, DTEK has consistently expanded opportunities for women in production professions. The company invests in training and staff development, opens up access to new occupations and creates conditions for professional development. One of the results of this work was the programme to attract women to mining professions, which received international recognition in 2026. Today, more than 520 women work at DTEK mines, performing a wide range of technical work and proving that modern energy and industry are open to professionals regardless of gender.
Participation in the conference was another opportunity for DTEK to share its practical experience of creating equal opportunities and to inspire women to more boldly choose professions that open up new prospects for development, self-realisation and career growth.