Pulkovo Airport has introduced the positions of ground handling agent and apron bus driver-operator, where they plan to employ women. The new project is called "Not sissies".
Until October 2024, Pulkovo employed general-purpose drivers who operated all special equipment at the airport: from apron buses to snow removal machines - this required category C, D and tractor licenses. For the new position of apron bus operator-driver, category D license is sufficient, for some types of buses you will also need category AIV (tractor license), which can be obtained by completing training at the airport. For 1 month, training takes place at the aviation training center and an internship under the guidance of an experienced mentor, after which you can begin independent work.
The tasks of female ground handling agents include: inspection of the parking area and aircraft, marshalling (the process of bringing an aircraft to the parking area), installation of signal cones, approaching and driving away telescopic ramps, self-propelled ramps and special equipment, control of loading and unloading of aircraft, boarding and disembarking of passengers, opening and closing baggage compartments, towing of aircraft. Such specialists interact with the flight crew, drivers of special equipment and dispatchers to organize aircraft servicing. At the same time, tasks requiring physical exertion can be performed by male employees who work in pairs with female agents.
"Diversification of the staff structure is one of the trends in the Russian labor market. There are specialties that were previously inaccessible to women due to restrictions related to hard labor. We divided the responsibilities and left women with only those tasks that do not require additional physical effort - this allowed us to open up even more professions for women," said Maria Ermak, HR Director of Northern Capital Gateway (Pulkovo Airport).
Even female students can become agents – the airport has a project called “Runway”, which allows them to combine work with study, thanks to flexible schedules.
In the first 2 months, 20 girls have already become participants in the "Not Gentlewomen" project. By the end of the year, their number is planned to increase to 40.
Current employees of other departments of the airport can also join the initiative. The airport has a project called "We are a team", within the framework of which office employees can, in addition to their main work, work in operational services during peak hours (receiving hourly pay). This opportunity allows for a better immersion in the processes and to learn more about the airport from the inside.
