Veterans met with local employers in Mykolaiv to learn about job opportunities

On Wednesday, 12 November, a meeting was held at the Mykolaiv City Veterans Support Centre, where employers presented their companies and told veterans about available vacancies.

This was reported by the correspondent of NikVesti.

The event was part of the project to support and employ veterans «Veteran Partnership», which is supported by Denmark. The aim of the event is to help military personnel returning to civilian life find a job and adapt after their service.

Viktor Moiseiev, the centre's director, said that such meetings create a platform for communication between those looking for work and those who can offer it.

«We have a project to employ veterans and are constantly looking for opportunities to bring together those who want to find a job and those who have vacancies. The initiative came from Denmark, which suggested developing the area of employment support. Together with the Federation of Employers of Mykolaiv Region, we decided to invite entrepreneurs to present their opportunities,» said Viktor Moiseiev.

Nataliia Belianinova, representative of the Veteran Policy Department of the Mykolaiv Regional State Administration, noted that some employers still have prejudices against veterans. She called on businesses to change their approach and appreciate the experience of those who have defended the country.

«There are many cases when employers, especially private ones, have stereotypes about veterans. But we must not forget that these are people who are a thousand times braver than us. They left their profession, went to defend the country, and now return with unique experience that can be applied in various industries. Employers need to understand that they should not be guided by stereotypes, but that veterans are helping us to maintain a peaceful life today,» said Nataliia Belianinova.

Dmytro Oboronko, director of the Mykolaiv Regional Employment Centre, stressed that the employment service is constantly expanding its support programmes for veterans and strives to ensure that such meetings produce concrete results — real employment.

«We are strengthening our support mechanisms every month, and new programmes are being introduced. We have a lot to talk about and offer. I communicate with veterans every day and require my colleagues to make every meeting constructive. Even today, after the conversation, I want us to have a few employed guys who have come to hear about vacancies and talk to employers. Today, there are three main problems: decent wages, because often the level of payment does not meet expectations; requirements that are not consistent with the state of health; and the level of education and qualifications, because not all veterans have a university degree,» said Dmytro Oboronko.

Among the employers willing to hire veterans:

• Group of companies «Agrofusion»;
• MKP «Mykolaivvodokanal»;
• Mykolaiv Alumina Plant;
• OKP «Mykolaivoblteploenergo»;
• JSC Zavod «EQUATOR»;
• Petro Mohyla National University;
• Main Directorate of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Mykolaiv region.

The company OKP «Mykolaivoblteploenergo» offers a number of vacancies for workers in the following specialities: heating network maintenance fitters, car repairers, drivers, tractor drivers, and electricians. The company already employs people with disabilities — about 4% of its staff, including legal advisers, drivers and crane operators. Medical fitness of candidates also remains a major problem.

The company «Agrofusion» was one of the three largest tomato paste producers in Europe before the full-scale invasion, but the war has reduced production and markets. The company employs about a thousand permanent staff and more than a thousand seasonal workers. The average salary is about 37 thousand hryvnias. Currently, the company needs electricians to work in Snihurivka (with the possibility of a business trip from Mykolaiv) and security guards for the plant in the village of Shevchenkove with a salary of 18,000 to 25,000 hryvnias.

The municipal utility company «Mykolaivvodokanal» currently has open positions for emergency repairmen and grate operators. The main difficulty in hiring veterans is passing medical examinations. Applicants can make an appointment for an interview, and all contacts are available on the company's official website.