Twenty-six students had gathered in Vinnytsia for the EdUP Welding Cup, representing vocational schools from different regions of the country. Among them, Dina was the only young woman.
But standing out was not something that intimidated her. In many ways, it felt familiar.
Dina is a student at the Volodymyrets Higher Vocational School in the Rivne region, and welding is part of her family’s story. For generations, the craft has been practiced by the men in her family. Her father and grandfather were both welders, shaping metal with the same tools Dina now holds in her hands.
Watching them work sparked something in her early on.
Instead of seeing welding as a “man’s profession,” Dina saw an opportunity to follow a path she admired and make it her own. Determined to learn the craft, she chose to study welding and develop the same skills that once defined the work of the men in her family.
Her participation in the EdUP Welding Cup was a powerful example of how vocational education is opening new doors for young people. The competition brought together talented students who presented creative welding projects, evaluated by experts based on welding quality, composition, creativity and precision.
And Dina’s project stood out.
Her work earned her a prize, a recognition not only of her technical skills but also of the determination that brought her there.
The EdUP project promotes equal opportunities for women and men in vocational education. By supporting inclusive access to professional training in the construction sector, the project encourages more young people to pursue skilled professions and contribute to the rebuilding of Ukraine.
As Maks Pekhovka, Line Manager of the EdUP project, explains:
"The EdUP project aims to strengthen vocational education and motivate young people to choose skilled professions. It is especially important that today more and more young women see these professions as an opportunity for their future. Equal access to training allows everyone - regardless of gender - to develop their skills and contribute to the reconstruction of Ukraine."
Dina’s story reflects a broader shift. More young women are choosing professions that were once considered exclusively "male" and are becoming skilled professionals in fields that shape the country’s future.
With sparks flying and metal taking shape under her steady hands, Dina Yusko is reshaping a family tradition.