26 UDS demining assistants have successfully passed the State Qualification Exam at the National Academy of Internal Affairs

Today, 26 UDS demining assistants completed their training, having spent two months acquiring the qualification "Deminer (Mine Clearance).

"The training group includes veterans of combat operations, former police officers, economists, a diving instructor, even musicians, and representatives of other professions who expressed a desire to work in humanitarian mine clearance. The group consists of both men and women.

It is worth recalling that in November 2024, the National Academy of Internal Affairs of Ukraine and UDS signed a Memorandum of Cooperation in the educational and scientific-technical fields. As part of this Memorandum, UDS demining assistants were trained to acquire the qualification "Deminer (Mine Clearance)."

The training program, which fully meets state standards, included theoretical lessons, practical work, and industrial practice.

💬 "Today, I participated in the commission that examined the future UDS deminers. This is the category of specialists that is very important for our country today, as they will clear our territory of explosive hazards. Our country is heavily contaminated, so such specialists are extremely needed. According to the Swiss Mine Action Centre's findings, we need to train over 10,000 people. As for the State Emergency Service and public formations, there are currently only about 4,000 of them, which is very little," said Yuriy Prykhodko, Associate Professor of the Department of Forensic Support and Judicial Expertise at the National Academy of Internal Affairs, member of the commission.

As a result, 26 people successfully passed their exams and received state-standard certificates. Starting from February 17, most of them will be transferred to the position of deminer.

💬 "But the training doesn't stop here," says UDS Technical Director Eduard Drach. "After the certificate, internal training must be completed, which will last nearly a month. For the training program, we involve our specialists who are practitioners and professionals. During the month of internal training, they will need to master the UDS Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Knowing these procedures thoroughly is a non-negotiable requirement. The knowledge will be tested by a commission, which will include external experts. I don't want to scare anyone, but I should mention that not every employee will ultimately pass this exam. At least, this was the case with all previous commissions."