More than finding a job – what we learned from UNITE

Finding a job is important. But the pathway towards employment often starts somewhere else.

During UNITE, we accompanied Ukrainian newcomers with very different backgrounds, experiences and goals. One thing became increasingly clear: sustainable labour market integration needs more than job-search support alone.

In our work, four areas proved closely connected:

• Mentoring & coaching – having someone to discuss individual goals, challenges and next steps with.
• Work & qualification – exploring professional perspectives, preparing applications and making existing skills and experience visible.
• Strengthening competences – practising German, developing digital skills and learning through concrete situations from everyday and working life.
• Participation & wellbeing – meeting people, building networks, discovering local opportunities and gaining confidence in a new environment.

These areas cannot always be separated. More confidence can make it easier to speak German. Better language skills can open new professional opportunities. New contacts can provide orientation and a sense of belonging. And sometimes a small step in everyday life can be an important step towards employment.

This is why UNITE followed an approach that was individual, flexible and holistic – adapting support to the person rather than expecting everyone to follow the same pathway.

That is one of the key lessons we will take with us from UNITE:

Integration into employment is not a single step. It is a process in which work, learning, participation and personal development come together.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Social Fund+. Neither the European Union nor the European Social Fund+ can be held responsible for them.