A woman from Ukraine, who was forced to flee her country after the Russian invasion, has secured a full-time job with help from a Staffordshire work experience programme.
Anastasiia Pliaka, who was a lawyer in her hometown of Kharkiv, arrived in Staffordshire in June 2022 as part of the Homes for Ukraine scheme being co-ordinated by the county council.
The 27-year-old university Masters graduate moved in with Stafford family Delia and Brett Phillip, who told her about the Staffordshire Jobs and Careers’ Open-Door programme.
Anastasiia signed up to the programme in May 2023 and was given a placement with the council’s legal team. She has now gone on to secure a full-time job with international insurance company QBE.
She said: “I’d like to say thank you to everyone in the council’s legal team and the Open Door team for giving me such a warm welcome and such a great opportunity.
“Being able to do the work experience placement was wonderful. Working in the legal team has really improved my English and helped me to focus on honing my employment skills. I’ve really developed those hard and soft skills, and now I feel much more confident in my work.
“Leaving Ukraine was difficult; my mum and family are still over there; they try to do everything they can to support my country and I worry about them most days.
“I do love Staffordshire. This place gave me new friends, new work and new opportunities in my life. This little warm town gave me a chance to believe in myself”.
She added: “I have one life motto and the recipe for success from one of my favourite quotes from William A Ward. “Study while others are sleeping; work while others are loafing; prepare while others are playing; and dream while others are wishing.”.
Philip White, Deputy Leader at Staffordshire County Council said: “Anastasiia’s story really shows what hard work and determination, combined with the right help can achieve, and it’s brilliant that she has settled so well here in Staffordshire. It’s also great that our Open-Door team were able to step in and help her get some valuable work experience, which helped her get her full-time job.”
More than 900 people have used the Our Homes for Ukraine scheme in Staffordshire, with many working and playing an active role in the community.
The Open-Door programme is available through the new Staffordshire Jobs and Careers service. People can find out more at Staffordshire Job & Careers Brokerage for Residents.
