The programme lasted two months and combined theory and practice: Participants studied the basics of solar energy, worked with real-life cases, performed laboratory work, and familiarised themselves with the operation of energy facilities. The main goal is to provide practical knowledge that can be used both in a new profession and in everyday life.
Oleksii Dovzhenko, a veteran and former employee of one of DTEK Energy's enterprises, shared:
After my service, I wanted to grow and learn something new. This is only the first step, but this knowledge can already be applied — both at home and in further professional development.
The event was attended by Farhad Farhadov, Deputy Minister for Veterans Affairs of Ukraine. He stressed that retraining and professional adaptation of veterans is one of the key priorities of state policy, especially in the energy sector, which is of strategic importance for the country today.
DTEK emphasises: Training is just one element of the ProVeteran systematic veteran support programme, which covers a person's journey from the moment of mobilisation onwards, after returning from service.
Vadym Halytskyi, Head of the ProVeteran project at DTEK, noted:
After military duty, not all veterans are able or willing to return to their previous jobs, due to health issues or changes in their life goals. That is why at DTEK we create opportunities for a new professional start. Our ProVeteran programme is primarily about providing systematic support and co-creating the future: in teams, business and communities. A cross-functional team works on it — veterans themselves, HR specialists, psychologists, medical experts, social policy specialists, insurance specialists, and legal support specialists. After the war, hundreds of thousands of people will return to work and civilian life, and DTEK is ready to share its experience and expertise to help Ukraine develop a strong system of comprehensive support for veterans.
Oleksandr Aziukovskyi, Head of the National Technical University ‘Dnipro Polytechnic,’ emphasised:
Our joint initiative with DTEK to train veterans is an example of the synergy between education and business for the social and professional support of Ukraine's defenders. This training programme widens the range of professional opportunities and opens doors to the most promising industry, which is super important for keeping the country stable and ready to defend itself. At Dnipro Polytechnic, we strive to provide everyone with high-quality, up-to-date knowledge that will enable them to be at the forefront of the restoration of the Ukrainian energy system and be in demand in civilian life.
Another graduate of the programme, veteran and former DTEK miner Vadym Zelenskyi, emphasised:
For many of us, it's not just about a new profession. It's about the opportunity to keep going. Plans emerge, communication, the feeling that someone needs you again.
DTEK notes that the results of the pilot programme will be analysed for the further development of educational initiatives for veterans in partnership with educational institutions — in areas that are important for the energy sector and the country's recovery.