OSCE Project Co-ordinator helps discharged Ukrainian military pilots and staff find new opportunities
NIZHYN, Ukraine, 22 July 2008 - A joint project by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator and the Ukrainian Defence Ministry for former military pilots and technical staff has helped the latest participants, who graduated today, to get jobs with the Ukrainian Ministry of Emergency Situations' newly established Special Airplane Fire-Fighting Division.
"This project, especially this type of training, helps Ukraine to effectively use its human resources. Training military pilots requires vast financial resources and these rather young people are well-placed to use their skills in a similar, but civilian, capacity," said Ambassador Lubomir Kopaj, OSCE Project Co-ordinator.
The 16 former military pilots and 14 technical staff underwent a three-month training programme that included practical training and flight practice.
Igor Kholosha, Director of the State Department for Adaptation of Discharged Military Servicepersons and Conversion of Former Military Facilities, said that the Ukrainian Defence Ministry strongly supported the programme and wants it to continue next year.
"This project not only supports Ukraine in coping with the negative consequences of the reform-related reduction of its armed forces, but it also helps former military staff to succeed in their new civilian professional lives," he said.
The project, funded by U.S. Mission to the OSCE, the Finnish Mission to the OSCE and by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine, last year trained 1,044 military servicepersons in 25 cities throughout Ukraine. Almost nine in ten trainees found new jobs.