Curo’s Power Up employability programme is helping a group of Ukrainian women prepare for work in the UK, after the Russian invasion forced them to leave their country.
Power Up is a Work Wise skills programme that can help people find a job that’s right for them; manage their finances; build confidence and gain resilience. There are two courses – one aimed at women and one for male and female 16-25 year olds.
We asked three women who have completed the programme to tell us what they have learnt.
Above (from left): Liza, Vira and Yulia were on Curo's Power Up programme
“I’ve gained confidence”
Yulia Bezkrovna is a graphic designer and was living in Kharkiv close to the Russian border until March this year. She left Ukraine with her six-year-old daughter, Polina, after fearing for their lives when Russian aircraft started to fly over their home.
As part of the Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme, Yulia and Polina are now living with a host family in Bath and Yulia wants to use her skills to find work in the UK.
“The Power Up programme has helped me to gain confidence in a jobs market that’s new to me,” she says. “It’s been disorientating leaving Ukraine and moving to a different country.
“The programme has shown me how I can tailor my CV for roles here. It’s also been a great opportunity to meet other Ukrainian women in the same position. We’ve formed a community to support each other.
“My goal now is to get a job as a graphic designer in the UK – I want to be a good role model for my daughter and show her what you can do when you’re determined.”
“The course has helped me adapt”
Vira Niskoromnykh owned a business with her husband in Ukraine and has a masters’ degree.
She first had to leave her home in Donetsk in 2014 when Russian troops tried to take control of the city. Her family returned in 2017, but she decided to leave with her 13-year-old daughter in February this year when it became clear that the Russian invasion was imminent.
“I knew we would be facing a terrible situation as I had experienced it before,” she says. “War is especially difficult for girls and I wanted to get my daughter out.”
Vira and her daughter are now living with a retired English couple in Bath as part of Homes for Ukraine, but her husband and 19-year-old son are back in their home country.
“My husband has been conscripted into the Army,” she says. “But my son is too young to join and is studying in Kiev.”
Vira says that the Power Up programme has helped her focus on the skills she can transfer to roles in the UK. “I’ve done many jobs and so have a lot of skills, such as communication, administration and accounting.
“In Ukraine, we write CVs differently, so the course has helped me adapt how I write mine.”
With her daughter now settled at school, Vira wants to use these skills to get a job in the housing sector.
“It’s been empowering”
Liza Hamsheieva was in Egypt on holiday with her nine-year-old daughter when war broke out in Ukraine in March this year. She took the difficult decision not to return to their home in Kiev. “It was too dangerous,” she says.
In her home country, Liza was a set designer for films, music videos and adverts and had her own studio in Kiev. “The warehouse my studio was in has now been turned into a military hospital and the area is closed to the public,” she says.
The Power Up programme has helped her to think how to use her skills to find work in the UK. “Its name is appropriate as the course is empowering,” she says. “I’ve been able to make friends and become part of a community.”
Liza has found the focus on applying for jobs useful. “I hadn’t needed to write a CV for 10 years,” she says. “The programme has given me practice of doing this.”
It’s also helped her to reflect on her skills. “I’ve worked in shops, galleries and studios. Now, I’m planning what to do next. I’m taking it one step at a time.”
Apply for the next Power Up programme
Curo’s Power Up Programme can give you the work skills you need.
As well as employability skills, we’ll introduce you to new ‘green’ jobs and roles in construction and trades – many of which aren’t manual roles and which may surprise you.
You can join the course in person, at The Hub in Mulberry Park, or virtually on demand. When you complete the course, you’ll get a minimum of £75 in cash and an Amazon voucher worth £25.
The course is one day a week for five weeks. We’re recruiting now for courses running during October 2022 through until March 2023.
To book a free place email Workwise@curo-group.co.uk or call Jamie Nicholson-Ruther, Employability Assistant Team Leader, on 07814 040697; or Katie Houlden, Senior Employability Advisor, on 07814 040697.
The Power Up programme is funded by the West of England Combined Authority as part of the wider Community Support Fund. See also the Combined Authority Employability & Skills Portal: www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/what-we-do/employment-skills/skills-portal/