In response to the crisis in Ukraine, ‘United for Ukraine’ was set up by businesses and other partners across the North of England, including GC, to support evacuees coming to our region, to provide access to employment and support services.
For Ukrainian nationals, this initiative provides a searchable list of vacancies with employers who have committed to providing good job opportunities in a supportive environment.
For employers, this initiative provides an easy and direct way to communicate job opportunities to Ukrainian nationals coming to the UK.
The GC colleagues who run the initiative’s day-to-day services are aways keen raise its profile, and hitting the airwaves has proved to be a great way to get the word out over the past two years.
Most recently, the team were invited to ALLFM 96.9 radio in Manchester, which has over a hundred active volunteers presenting and producing live radio for the diverse communities of Manchester.
About the radio interview, Marianna Vaszilyiv, Lead Key Worker on the initiative, told us:
"During the Razom (Together) program, with Anatolii Shalaiev, we delved into the multifaceted support we offer to help Ukrainians find employment and integrate smoothly into the community. The transition to the UK can be daunting, with cultural differences, language barriers, and unfamiliar job markets posing significant hurdles.
"Anatolii was notably impressed by the results of our work and the life-changing impact of our program. As we move forward, we remain committed to expanding our support network and refining our services. Our appearance on the Razom program has provided a valuable platform to raise awareness about our mission and the critical work we are doing."
Okszana Nepijvoda, Key Worker on the initiative, explained how they shared the initiative’s recent successes:
"One of the most inspiring aspects of our discussion was sharing the tangible successes we've achieved. We highlighted our efforts in validating Ukrainian diplomas, which is crucial for professionals aiming to continue their careers in the UK. We also discussed our success in finding suitable jobs for evacuees, particularly in specialised fields such as medicine, nuclear engineering, and scientific research. These accomplishments not only provide financial stability for the individuals involved, but also enrich the UK's workforce with diverse and highly skilled professionals.”
The demand for the United for Ukraine initiative’s services continues to increase.
Tim Jeffery, Partnership & Integration Manager in GC Employment shared how the team is expanding:
“It's been over 2 years since we started the United for Ukraine initiative - and the need for the team’s work continues to grow and grow. Out of the sad circumstances of the war in Ukraine, a dream team has emerged to serve our community with passion and dedication. Together, we are more than just a team; we’re a community united by purpose and driven by compassion. We're really happy to welcome Uliana Musykevych to the team (pictured far-right below), so we can support even more Ukrainian refugees find sustainable and meaningful employment here in the UK.”
