Taxpayer-funded English language and employment courses announced as Ukrainians celebrate their Independence Day
Taxpayer-funded English lessons and help to improve their job prospects are on offer to up to 10,000 Ukrainians to help them rebuild their lives in the UK, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has announced.
The £11.5m taxpayer-funded support package – announced on Ukrainian Independence Day (August 24) - will help more Ukrainian arrivals across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland integrate further into their communities whilst in the UK and help them progress their careers here.
The intensive language programme will include nearly 20 hours of online English learning a week over a period of 10 weeks, while additional employment support over 12 weeks will include advice on how to find jobs, CV writing and application support, as well as one-to-one interview practice.
Half of Ukrainian adults have already found employment since arriving and this support aims to increase the number of people in work and help those in employment to enter higher-skilled and better-paid jobs, in turn helping to grow the workforce and the UK economy. When the time comes to return to Ukraine, the language skills, experience of working in the UK and workplace training will also assist with rebuilding their home country.
This is part of a wider package of taxpayer-funded support including £150m funding for local authorities to house Ukrainians in long-term accommodation and increased ‘thank you’ payments of over £650m for Homes for Ukraine British hosts.
Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Felicity Buchan said:
Charity World Jewish Relief in partnership with the British Council, has been chosen to run the ‘STEP Ukraine’ courses and tailored employment support sessions. They are aiming to train up to 10,000 Ukrainians within a year – making it easier for them to live independent lives in the UK.
Following feedback from Ukrainian guests, the courses are online so that people with young children, caring responsibilities, or shift workers, can take part from anywhere in the UK.
Paul Anticoni, CEO of World Jewish Relief, said:
The new English and employment courses come as the Government reaffirms its commitment to helping Ukrainians settle and rebuild their lives in the UK on Ukrainian Independence Day.
In honour of their Independence Day, the Ukrainian community has organised festivities in cities across the UK. Groups such as the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain held traditional music concerts, prepared traditional meals, and arranged family events to celebrate their heritage and culture. This is a time to celebrate our shared values and show our enduring support for the people of Ukraine.
Petro Rewko, Chair of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB), said: