and those it leaves behind
This is a repost from my old blog, but the message and program are still needed. For some reason this post was missed during my import of the posts. So, here it is again. Originally published February 29, 2024
“I’m traumatized.”
“My grandson is now an orphan and I want to give him a good future.”
“When the war in Ukraine broke out, I had to leave for Germany with my son because it was very dangerous to stay there.”
“I was working in a nuclear company in Kyiv.”
“I am a Ukrainian refugee, and I am looking for any kind of professional education in IT.”
“I am 54 years old, Ukrainian refugee.”
“Due to the circumstances in our country, I cannot work in my specialty. For more than 10 years, I have been teaching applied mathematics at the University.”
“I am a professional athlete.”
These are quotes from applicants to our ongoing training cohorts for displaced and vulnerable Ukrainians.
Our application form is intentionally simple — just basic personal information and two open-ended questions:
- Why do you want to join our training cohort?
- Is there anything else you’d like to share with us or clarify?
Most responses run through automatic translation, but even with the imperfections, the sentiment remains unmistakable:
People need help starting over. They are determined, hopeful, and ready to do whatever it takes to build a new future.
A Refresher on What This Program Is — and How It Works
The Microsoft Business Applications Professional Skilling collection has been translated into Ukrainian using AI-assisted translation with manual review. It offers a solid introduction to the foundational knowledge needed to begin a career in tech — and it works equally well in both English and Ukrainian.
Our free training cohorts operate in Telegram. We originally tried Microsoft Teams, but connectivity challenges, device limitations, and regional restrictions made participation difficult. Students already use Telegram daily, so we go where they are.
Each week, students complete an assignment from the translated learning content and watch related videos (all subtitled in Ukrainian). They also answer two weekly reflection questions through a Microsoft Form available in both languages.
I built a Power App with built-in translation capabilities so students can respond in either English or Ukrainian. Their responses appear in the language they choose, and our feedback — written in English — is automatically translated into Ukrainian and emailed back to them.
Students receive personalized, expert-level feedback in their own language.
What Students Experience
Over six weeks, participants are introduced to:
- The Microsoft Business Applications ecosystem
- The capabilities of Dynamics 365
- Real career pathways — CRM, ERP, and even Business Central
This upcoming cohort is our largest yet: several hundred students enrolled.
We are incredibly grateful for our qualified volunteers who make this scale possible.
A few guiding principles:
- Everyone who applies is accepted.
- Six weeks is the plan, but anyone who needs more time gets it.
- We automate wherever we can while still making room for personal interaction.
- All volunteer organizers have full-time jobs — yet together, we are making a real difference.
Huge thanks to Vlad, Dima, Yulia, Olena, Andrew, Maria, EY, Cory, Nati and Cole for keeping the program running. (Editing note, this list is updated from the original post for our current volunteers)
Neither Britta nor I speak Ukrainian, but honestly, technology makes it feel seamless.
After the six weeks, students remain in the Telegram community to support incoming cohorts. It has become a resilient, self-sustaining space — and I’m lucky to be part of it.
Your Call to Action
- Share the program with your Ukrainian friends and colleagues.
They can join to learn — or join to help:
https://365l.ink/UkraineSignUp - Say yes when I reach out.
As cohorts grow, we may need more volunteers to help provide weekly feedback. - Hire a graduate.
If your organization can create a role or apprenticeship for a determined newcomer, please do.
Part of our automation sends accepted students an email inviting them into their Telegram group. One reply has stayed pinned in my inbox ever since:
“Thanks you very much for your answer. It did me so much happy.”
It did me so much happy too.
It really did.
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