When a person goes through difficult life challenges and loses their job, the most important thing is not to be left alone with uncertainty. Traditionally, receiving employment assistance requires individuals to seek out the relevant institutions themselves. However, a different approach is gaining momentum in Ukraine—one in which help finds those who need it.
This has become possible thanks to a new project focused on the proactive support of unemployed individuals. Under this initiative, the Employment Service takes the lead: specialists reach out to people directly and help those who have lost their source of income quickly learn about available state support, return to active employment, and improve their competitiveness in the labor market.
One of the people whose life has been changed by this project is 34-year-old Vira Biriuk from Luhansk region.
Vira is a woman of remarkable inner strength. Having survived Russian captivity, she refused to be broken by her experience. After returning to Ukrainian-controlled territory, she immediately became actively involved in public life. Over the past year, she worked as a manager at the charitable foundation “Strength for the Strong,” helping families of prisoners of war and other defenders who had been released from captivity.
When her contract ended, Vira found herself unemployed. Thanks to the automatic exchange of information between state registers, the Employment Service received information about her dismissal.
Instead of waiting for her to seek assistance, Employment Service specialists took the initiative. A career advisor from the Kramatorsk Branch of the Donetsk Regional Employment Center contacted Vira first to learn what kind of support she needed.
During their conversation, it became clear that Vira knew exactly what she wanted to do next. Drawing on her unique and challenging life experience, she aspired to professionally support people in the social sector. The best solution for achieving this goal was a training voucher—a program that enables participants to acquire a new profession or upgrade their qualifications free of charge.
On June 12 in Kyiv, Nataliia Adamova, Director of the Donetsk Regional Employment Center, personally presented Vira Biriuk with a training voucher for the profession of Social Worker.
“A proactive approach makes it possible to identify a person at a turning point in their life and offer concrete tools for development in a timely manner. It is an opportunity to show everyone that during difficult times they are not left without support—that they have a real chance to study for free, change professions, and realize their potential,” says Nataliia Adamova.
Vira will begin her studies on June 15. She will acquire new knowledge and competencies at the Interregional Center for Professional Retraining of Discharged Military Personnel in Kryvyi Rih.
At the same time, while preparing for her studies, Vira continues her primary mission. She remains in contact with those who are still being held in captivity, organizes fundraising efforts, and delivers essential supplies, helping bring closer the return of every Ukrainian.
Background Information: The experimental project on proactive support for unemployed individuals is being implemented in accordance with Resolution No. 1382 of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. The project participants include the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Social Policy, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, the Pension Fund of Ukraine, and the State Employment Service.
Call Center of the Donetsk Regional Employment Center: 0-800-219-713.