Help and support if you’ve recently arrived from Ukraine

We know that many Ukrainians will want to work. You have the right to work as soon as you arrive in the UK. You need to be 18-years-old to work full time.

In Buckinghamshire, a good place to start your search may be through the Skill Up Bucks programme. You can email them at [email protected]. Skill Up Bucks is delivered by a partnership of local organisations including the Buckinghamshire Skill Hub.

It provides:

• Information on jobs and careers in Buckinghamshire
• Online job searching tools
• One-to-one support for all refugees and job seekers located in Bucks.

There are also many other options to help you look for a job:

• use a free government website called Find a Job to be connected with thousands of employers across the UK. You can search for jobs without an account. But to apply for a job you will need to create an account or sign in.
• the Buckinghamshire Council's job page to find employment within the council
• for jobs within the NHS, see the NHS jobs careers page

You can also find a job through the following approaches:

• Look in local and national newspapers or websites where jobs are advertised
• Register with a job/recruitment agency
• Visit local companies to ask about jobs

You can also register with job/recruitment agencies on these websites:

• Indeed
• Reed
• Pertemps
• CV Library
• The Guardian Jobs
• Total Jobs
• Monster
• Job Centre

Employers must check that you are allowed to work for them in the UK before employing you. You will be able to use your Biometric Residence Permit as evidence of your immigration status in the UK, including your right to work.

To prove your status digitally to an employer, you can use the online service, which is found on the prove your right to work page.

In the UK, workers are entitled to certain employment rights, including the national Minimum Wage. For more information on employment rights visit the employment status page.

Should you require further assistance in understanding your employment rights, contact the local Citizens Advice office.

To apply for a job, you will usually need to send:

• an application form
• a CV (curriculum vitae) - a list of your qualifications and experience
• a letter with some information about yourself and the job you're looking or applying for

You can get help with writing a CV or completing an application form from several organisations including Adviza and the Oasis Partnership (Routes to Work).

We can tell you the UK equivalents of your Ukrainian qualifications for free. To apply for a free formal statement email [email protected].

You can get careers advice and support from the National Careers Service which gives careers information to adults in England – in the community, online and on the phone. Young people aged 13+ can call the telephone number 0800 100 900 for help. There is more information on the National Careers Service website.

Further details about employment in the UK can be found here by reading the Welcome: a guide for Ukrainians arriving in the UK page

In the UK, this is known as self-employment. If you would like speak to someone about starting your own business, contact Buckinghamshire Business First by phone on: 01494 927130 or email them at [email protected]. They will talk you through the process.