Professional standard for deminers approved

August 2, 2024

The National Qualifications Agency has approved the professional standard “Deminer”.

The National Qualifications Agency of Ukraine has approved the professional standard “Explosive Ordnance Disposal Operator (Deminer)”. Its development was initiated by the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, and Sheriff-Demining LLC, in close cooperation with the Ministry’s experts, prepared the text of the standard, taking into account the proposals of key stakeholders in the sector.

“Until now, we have not had a professional deminer standard. In fact, operators were forced to train specialists for humanitarian demining on their own under their own developed programs. The availability of a professional standard that meets international requirements (IMAS – International Mine Action Standards) creates uniform rules for everyone and significantly expands the opportunities for deminers’ training. In particular, this will allow us to engage veterans in humanitarian demining, who, after training, will be able to work for both Ukrainian and international mine action operators,” said Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine Ihor Bezkaravaynyi.

After the standard is approved, a number of measures will be taken to introduce the new profession into the legal field: assigning a code, streamlining remuneration. A corresponding educational standard will also be developed on the basis of the professional standard. This will make it possible to graduate certified deminers on a par with other professions after receiving accreditation from the Ministry of Education and Science.

An approved professional standard that meets the requirements of IMAS will allow specialists with an international certificate to confirm their qualifications in Ukraine. It also means that Ukrainian deminers trained according to the new standard will also be able to work for international companies without having to start training from the beginning.

“People with disabilities, including those with amputations, can work as deminers in non-technical surveys of the territory using drones and other equipment. This opens up long-term prospects for work in this area. There are many opportunities to work as a deminer in Ukraine, and it is important that veterans can use their skills in civilian life. Special thanks to the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine for the initiative to develop a professional deminer standard and to the National Qualifications Agency for recognizing the need for a standard and for promptly processing the documentation and providing comprehensive support,” said Yevhen Antypenko, Director of Sheriff-Demining LLC.

The developed standard provides for 5 levels of training. The basic level will allow a specialist to engage in non-technical surveys, the next level will allow them to conduct technical surveys. Then – demining of territories, buildings, etc.

We remind you that the issue of humanitarian demining is coordinated by Yulia Svyrydenko, First Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Economy of Ukraine. The Ministry of Economy of Ukraine ensures the interaction of central executive authorities on mine action in terms of humanitarian demining.