Skills4Recovery: Learning, Growing, and Building a New Career

Anna Kiktenko’s journey from the desire to learn to mastering a new profession is a story of determination and continuous growth. Today, she works as an assembly fitter at L-Transservice in Kremenchuk. Originally trained as a welder, Anna is challenging long-standing stereotypes about “men’s” and “women’s” professions.

Through the “From Training to Employment” project, Anna achieved her goal of acquiring a new qualification at Vocational School No. 26 in Kremenchuk. She completed training as an assembly fitter and now independently performs welding work—from preparing components to producing finished welds. She completed her practical training at the same company where she had already been employed.

“To be honest, practical experience is more important to me than theory because it gives me a deeper understanding,” Anna says.

At the same time, the theoretical part of the training introduced her to many new and unexpected insights. She learned more effective techniques for working with steel and became familiar with modern European approaches used in assembly fitting. During her practical training, she also mastered new welding methods. Throughout the programme, Anna successfully passed two qualification exams, demonstrating the knowledge and skills she had gained.

“I want to keep learning new things. I want to know more and be able to read any technical drawing confidently and with ease,” Anna shares.

Anna’s story shows how access to quality vocational education and practical training can open new career opportunities, strengthen professional confidence, and help people build a more resilient future.