NEW YORK — Upwardly Global announces the official extension of its partnership with Information Society Development Foundation (FRSI) and Accenture. The partnership will train 1,000 job seekers, with 500 to be placed in professional careers.
Since launching in October 2022, Upwardly Global and FRSI have trained over 1,500 Ukrainian refugees, primarily women, and have placed 520 in skill-aligned jobs across key industries such as Business Logistics, Marketing, Finance, Accounting, IT, and Legal. This achievement highlights the collective impact of their collaboration with Accenture and 11 other employer partners.
“This work is more critical than ever. Thousands of highly skilled Ukrainian professionals have been forced to leave their homes and start over in Poland, often facing language barriers, unfamiliar job markets, and uncertainty about their future,” said Karolina Cikowska, Upwardly Global’s Project Manager in Poland. “By providing training, career support, and access to employment opportunities, we are helping individuals regain stability and strengthening the communities and economies they become part of. We look forward to continuing this important work and making an even greater impact in the years ahead.”
Accenture has supported refugee employment through mentorship initiatives that provide crucial guidance to job seekers. With half of Ukrainian refugees in Poland working in jobs that do not match their professional qualifications, mentorship plays a vital role in helping refugees navigate the Polish labor market. Accenture employees serve as one-to-one mentors, offering insights on resume-building, interview preparation, and professional networking.
“Through this partnership, we are not only providing job training and placement opportunities but also fostering economic inclusion and empowerment for Ukrainian refugees in Poland,” said Jina Krause-Vilmar, President and CEO at Upwardly Global. “By working with FRSI and Accenture, we can ensure that refugee professionals rebuild their lives by accessing meaningful career opportunities that align with their skills and education.”
Accenture has pledged to support 16,000 refugee job seekers across Europe from 2023 to 2026. This collaboration with Upwardly Global Poland and FRSI continues to drive sustainable employment solutions for displaced professionals, equipping them with the tools needed to thrive.
For media inquiries about Upwardly Global and other initiatives, please contact media@upwardlyglobal.org.
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About Upwardly Global
Upwardly Global’s mission is to dismantle employment barriers for low-income immigrant, refugee, and asylee professionals and to advance their inclusion into the U.S. economy. Since 2000, Upwardly Global has empowered unemployed or underemployed newcomers with the skills, career coaching, and social capital needed to rebuild their lives and careers. Learn more at UpwardlyGlobal.org.