Cherkasy, September 12 - CSR Ukraine, an expert organization CSR Development Center, together with the UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine and the Cherkasy Resource Center have launched a youth training program "Skills Lab: A Successful Career". The program aims to help young people find their first job and acquire all the necessary skills for a career growth in Ukraine.

According to the Cherkasy Oblast Employment Center, 87.4% of the unemployed people aged under 35 had professional experience and even held management positions. Nevertheless, young people are still registered with the Employment Service and need the appropriate knowledge and skills to succeed.

In order to better adjust the professional skills of young people to the needs of employers and increase the citizens' capacities, the free Skills Lab: A Successful Career Program was launched for the first time in Cherkasy. Within one month, 35 young people aged 16-35 will complete 6 interactive sessions to develop ten skills of the future. In particular, participants will be taught effective planning, critical thinking, time management, negotiation, creativity and project management.

Yuliya Bolhak, Coordinator of the Skills Lab: A Successful Career Program from CSR Development Center introduced the participants to the last year's experience of program deployment in other cities of Ukraine and stated, that “150 girls and boys have graduated from the program and are already successfully fulfilling their potential in Ukraine. This year, we continue to help the dreams of young people come true and have even updated our curriculum. Not only trainings, but also hands-on workshops from HRs, creative challenges and exercises after each training session will be prepared for participants”.

In addition, everyone will have access to video lecture series integrated in training from representatives of leading companies including Metinvest, Ukrtelecom, Watsons, lifecell, Ukrenergo, Apercon, UKRSIBBANK, Raiffeisen Bank Aval and notebooks for homework.

During the presentation of the program, the participants signed a memorandum of participation and attended a coaching session "Letter to Yourself upon the Project Completion". Later, everyone shared their expectations of learning. Kostiantyn Shakaliukov came to study in the program to improve his professional skills and find his dream job. "It is very important for me to change myself, to be able to learn, to plan my life and career, to be aware and to understand what lies ahead for me".

Another participant of Skills Lab: A Successful Career Olha Adamenko emphasizes that this project is a great opportunity for young people to gain more professional knowledge, find a dream job and highlight their potential: “Although it was just an opening, I am sure that this month will be very useful for me: I will find new friends, I will be able to understand my purpose in life and eventually become a real professional of my business, “hunted after” by employers”.

At the final event, participants will be able to submit their CVs to local employers, and receive a dream job offer.