For many veterans, returning to civilian life means building a new routine, purpose, and economic stability. For Yurii Dalyk, a former service member from Ukraine, that transition became an opportunity to apply the discipline, responsibility, and precision he learned in the military to  the growing industry of logistics. 

Yurii participated in the Engaging Veterans in Logistics Careers project implemented by the Institutional Development Foundation where he trained as a forklift operator, an increasingly in-demand role in warehouse and distribution centers across the country. 

Yurii learned of this opportunity through the Telegram channel of the Lviv Center for Providing Assistance to Combat Participants. When choosing a new career path, he was strategic: he pursued fields with steady growth and  clear technical requirements that aligned with his strengths. 

I wanted to try something beyond just driving a car—I wanted to work with machinery where accuracy and safety are key." 

Comprehensive training designed for veterans’ realities

The training program at the West Ukrainian Center "Specialist" was tailored veterans’ schedules and needs. Online lectures on weekdays and intensive hands-on practice on Saturdays allowed Yurii to gradually adjust to civilian life and build new skills. 

Participants learned to maintain and safely use the equipment in addition to learning how to operate it which Yurii noted minimized risks and gave him the solid foundation he needed to start his first shift with confidence after finishing the course.

From training to employment

A key advantage of the project was the direct link to the job market. Participants were introduced to the internal processes of major logistics and retail companies. Through a partnership with the recruitment platform Lobby X,  Yurii received hands-on support to identify his transferable skills, update his resume, and prepare for interviews, significantly shortening the path from training to his first day on the job.

Today, Yurii works in warehouse logistics where he operates loading equipment, manages product placement, and optimizes warehouse processes. Because of his participation in the training, he quickly adapted to his new role.

The training gave me more than just basic skills; it gave me an understanding of how a warehouse works as a whole. When I started working, it was much easier. I understood how everything was set up and what to do in different situations. Now, I feel confident in my work and see opportunities for further growth."

Strengthening futures and the economy

Yurii’s journey reflects more than an individual career change. It demonstrates how coordinated support, market-driven education, and partnerships between the non-profit sector and businesses help veterans build a stable livelihoods while strengthening Ukraine’s workforce and economy.

The Engaging Veterans in Logistics Careers project is implemented by the Foundation for Institutional Development in partnership with the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine. It is facilitated by the Veteran Reintegration Program, implemented by IREX with support from the U.S. Department of State.