Thirty-five participants acquired practical digital and employability skills and highly evaluated the training programmes developed within the VOICE project. Instytut ADN has successfully completed two face-to-face pilot training sessions in Poland as part of the international VOICE project. The training confirmed that the developed learning materials effectively address the needs of people entering or re-entering the labour market while supporting the social inclusion of Ukrainian refugees.
The VOICE project supports Ukrainian refugees in developing vocational, digital and entrepreneurial competences while facilitating their social integration through innovative, free online courses available in several languages, including Ukrainian. Its main objective is to strengthen the digital and employability skills of both Ukrainian refugees and members of host communities, thereby improving their employment prospects and supporting their active participation in the labour market.
As part of the project, Instytut ADN organised two face-to-face pilot training sessions attended by a total of 35 participants. The participants included Ukrainian students enrolled in a Polish post-secondary school and preparing to enter the labour market, Ukrainian mothers caring for children while seeking employment, and employees of Polish non-governmental organisations supporting refugees.
Practical Skills for Today’s Labour Market
The training programme was designed to develop practical competences that are highly valued by employers and enable participants to navigate today’s rapidly evolving labour market with confidence. The first group participated in a training session focused on building a professional image:
• ✅ CV Writing and Professional Branding on Social Media
The second group completed three training modules:
• ✅ CV Writing and Professional Branding on Social Media
• ✅ Skills and Competences for Running a Business in the Digital Environment
• ✅ Shape Your Career Path – Employability and Entrepreneurial Mindset
The training sessions were designed not only to strengthen participants’ practical digital and employability skills, increasing their career opportunities and job prospects, but also to validate the training materials developed within the project. Participants’ feedback and recommendations will help the project partners further refine the courses to better respond to the real needs of the target groups.
Education that Promotes Inclusion
The VOICE training activities go beyond skills development. Face-to-face learning creates opportunities for participants to exchange experiences, promotes intercultural dialogue and strengthens relationships between refugees and host communities. As a result, the project contributes not only to participants’ professional development but also to their successful social integration.
The training sessions also formed part of the pilot testing and validation of the 13 training courses developed by the international VOICE consortium. All courses are available free of charge through the VOICE Open Educational Resources (OER) Platform, providing open access to high-quality educational resources for anyone wishing to enhance their digital and employability skills. Participants can complete the courses at their own pace and, after successfully completing the competence assessment, receive a certificate recognising their newly acquired skills.
Excellent Feedback from Participants
The training materials developed within the VOICE project received very positive evaluations from participants. They particularly appreciated the practical nature of the courses, their relevance and their alignment with the real challenges faced by people entering or returning to the labour market. Participants also highlighted that the project resources would be especially valuable for young Ukrainians beginning their professional careers.
One participant shared her experience: “Thank you for this training. Having free access to up-to-date and relevant knowledge is extremely valuable to us. It opens new opportunities and allows us to develop without barriers.”
By combining face-to-face training with freely accessible online educational resources, the VOICE project contributes to building more inclusive communities while improving access to education, digital skills and employment opportunities for both refugees and members of local communities.
About the VOICE Project
VOICE – Vocational Opportunities and Integration for Refugee Community Empowerment is co-funded by the European Union under the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) Social Innovation Initiative. The project is implemented by an international consortium of organisations working together to develop innovative educational resources and training opportunities that promote the social and labour market integration of Ukrainian refugees while strengthening cooperation and mutual understanding between refugees and host communities across Europe.
To learn more about the VOICE project and access the free online courses and educational resources, please visit: https://www.voice-inclusion.eu/
We also invite you to connect with us:
Email: voiceesfproject@gmail.com
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