The war forced many people to leave their hometowns. For some, this meant starting their job search from scratch; for others, it meant rebuilding their businesses in a new place. But support from the employment service helps them navigate this journey with greater confidence.
Alevtina Gladilina left Kurakhove for the Kyiv region. She now lives in Sofiivska Borshchahivka. She has a degree in economics. In her hometown, she taught at a technical college, worked as an accountant at a state fire and rescue unit, and later served as deputy head of a department at Ukrposhta.
After being laid off, Alevtina turned to the employment service. There, she received help identifying potential career paths, was introduced to current job openings, and received recommendations on how to search for work. A career counselor helped her update her resume and advised her on how to present her experience more effectively to employers.
Meanwhile, in Sofiivska Borshchahivka, entrepreneur Hanna Lukyanova was rebuilding her business. Before the war, she had a business in Kurakhove. After relocating, she took advantage of support from the employment service and a grant opportunity, which enabled her to open the “Tsybulka” produce store.
When it was time to expand her team, Hanna turned to the employment service—this time as an employer. Specialists helped her find a candidate—they were looking for a grocery salesperson who lived nearby. As a result, they offered the position to Alevtina.
She had no prior experience in retail. But she had a desire to work and a willingness to learn.
“You can gain experience on the job. The main thing is the desire to work and learn. I’ll help with the rest,” says Hanna.
Today, Alevtina works as a sales clerk at the “Tsybulka” store. And her employer, by hiring a forcibly displaced person, took advantage of the opportunity to receive compensation for labor costs. The support wasn’t limited to just employment. Alevtina also improved her skills at the State Employment Service’s vocational and technical education center in the course “Wartime Risks: Personal Safety.”
Two women from the same city met far from home. One found a job; the other found an employee to help grow her business.