On 12–13 February 2026, a training was organised to enhance career counsellors’ awareness of veterans’ rights, the rights of their family members, and relevant Council of Europe human rights standards for military personnel.
25 professionals providing career guidance to veterans seeking civilian employment expanded their knowledge of veterans’ social and labour rights and further developed their communication skills when working with this target audience.
The two-day programme was structured around three core components:
- Legal and policy frameworks: human rights of military personnel and veterans
International standards and instruments of the Council of Europe on the protection of veterans’ social and labour rights; an overview of Ukrainian legislation concerning veterans’ rights, benefits, services, and guarantees; and existing state employment support programmes for veterans.
- Inclusive communication with veterans with disabilities
Basics of effective interaction with veterans with disabilities, including those with physical injuries or impairments; guidance on potential employment opportunities for veterans.
- Trauma-sensitive communication
Understanding the psychological challenges faced by veterans; practical approaches to communication in diverse emotional contexts; and techniques for self-regulation and professional resilience.
This initiative seeks to strengthen the institutional capacity of state bodies to ensure timely, appropriate care and support for veterans from the earliest stage of reintegration, namely the transition from military service to civilian life. The event is organised in cooperation with the State Employment Service of Ukraine, with the aim of enhancing the professional expertise of specialists from a key national institution responsible for implementing state programmes for veterans, particularly in the area of employment support.
Yulia Zhovtiak, Head of the State Employment Service of Ukraine, said: "To us, a veteran is first and foremost a person, not a status. From the first conversation with career advisers Ukrainian veterans will know whether they will receive support, respect and encouragement on their new professional journey. We are building the institution centred on humanity, trust, and a willingness to support them”.
Since 2022, almost 43,000 veterans have reached out to the Employment Service. Every fourth veteran was employed, including through compensation programmes for employers. Others have undergone training or started their own business through the 'Own Business' grant programme.
The training was delivered within the framework of the project “Rights of Veterans and Personnel of the Armed Forces in Ukraine,” implemented under the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine “Resilience, Recovery and Reconstruction” (2023–2026).
