Ukrainians have struggled to find employment, but a new initiative by the Winchester City Council and Bridge to Unity is aiming to combat the issue.
Employment workshops are being provided to the community to help people anxious about their level of English, the possibility of rejection, navigating a new country and CV writing.
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Advertising the workshops, the Winchester Ukrainian Cultural Association said: “If you are tired of submitting your resume and getting no response, interview invites, or vice versa – another rejection if you’re finding it difficult to adapt to a new country and find your place in a different professional culture. Employment Workshops are designed to help and support you through it.”
According to the council, one of the challenges Ukrainians face surrounding their qualifications or skills is that they are often not recognised in the UK.
Bridge to Unity is a charitable organisation that has established itself at the centre of refugee support and resettlement throughout the South of England.
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Cllr Kathleen Becker, Cabinet member for Community and Engagement, Winchester City Council, said: “We’re pleased to support the delivery of the next round of Employability Workshops to our local Ukrainian community, which we are running in partnership with Bridge to Unity.
“The free workshops provide bespoke support to Ukrainians seeking work, with advice on writing CVs and interview skills, whilst providing more information about the UK’s job market and working culture.”
Kathleen continued: “Earlier this year, we delivered similar employability training, which was successful and positively received by those who took part, with one Ukrainian securing a different role as an outcome of this support, so it is great that we are able to build upon this work to ensure that our Ukrainian community in Winchester feel empowered with the knowledge, skills and confidence to succeed in securing work, which is aligned to their skillset, here in our district.”
The dates for the course at Winchester Library on Jewry Street are November 16, 23 and 30. Sessions run from 10:30pm to 14:00pm.
Organisers note that to get full support, attendees are expected to attend all three sessions to complete the course.