On 2 October, the final stage of a series of trainings dedicated to the adaptation of female and male veterans to work in the public service took place. The training, which was attended by 79 civil servants, was organised by the High School of Public Governance in cooperation with the National Agency of Ukraine on Civil Service and the GIZ “Promoting public administration reform in the Eastern Partnership”.

The training programme was designed to maximise understanding of the key aspects of working with veterans. During the training, special attention was paid to overcoming myths about veterans, as many of them face prejudice and stereotypes. The training participants gained practical knowledge on how to create conditions for veterans’ employment and develop inclusive communication in public authorities.

Olena Nikolska, a speaker at the training, a military psychologist, crisis interventionist and expert in leadership and team development, covered a wide range of issues related to recruiting and onboarding of veterans, including those with disabilities. The participants discussed in detail how to avoid inappropriate questions during the interview and how to ensure comfortable conditions for new employees. Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of inclusiveness in working with veterans and their families, including those waiting for loved ones from the frontline or who lost relatives during the war.

This series of trainings is an important step in strengthening the capacity of the civil service to support veterans, including reintegration into civilian life and opportunities for employment in the civil service. Thanks to such initiatives and the support of its partners, the High School will continue to implement programmes and projects aimed at adapting veterans to civilian life.