Four years ago, Andrey Vorontsov and his family fled their home country, Ukraine, and sought refuge in Australia.

Before seeking asylum, Andrey was the Ukrainian national wrestling champion and worked for the Ministry of Sport.

He was a PhD graduate with a doctoral degree in sport science, had a master’s degree in international relations and a bachelor’s degree in sport management.

Arriving in Australia with nothing, Andrey heard about the work of Settlement Services International (SSI) helping people seeking asylum settle into their new home.

Through SSI, Andrey was referred to the Asylum Seeker Employment Skills Support (ASESS) program, managed by the NSW Department of Education.

“We came from a different country and culture and we think we’re alone, especially in a situation coming from a war zone,” Andrey said.

As an ASESS program provider, SSI was able to provide support that included:

• Work readiness and qualification recognition workshops that focused on adapting to Australian work culture and recruitment processes

• Information on work experience programs and training opportunities

• Providing items sim cards for his family when they first arrived

• Support with applying for tax file number and an ABN so Andrey could work as a sole trader

After two-months, Andrey successfully secured a National Performance Lead Wrestling position with the Combat Institute of Australia.

“SSI provided whatever I needed at that time," he said

"The case manager in charge of us came over asking what I needed, all the courses I required. We left Ukraine with nothing, so there was a lot of support in terms of information and financially.”

Andrey then went on to coach and prepare Australian wrestlers for Olympic qualification and eventually travelled with them to the Olympic Games in Paris as a leader of the national team.

“The last time Australia was represented was 2016. I prepared the team to get them qualified and went to Paris as a coach,” he said.

While Andrey had access to many services, he said the most important thing he received was having a support network. The wrestling coach says that SSI and the ASESS program played key roles in fast tracking his settlement and career in Australia.

“I felt safe because I knew we were not alone, and that was the biggest part of that support when you know someone is behind you.”

Three years on, Andrey has opened his own fitness centre, Highlands Sports Centre, which specialises in wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and fitness programs.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Refugee Week (14 to 20 June). The theme, ‘A million stories’, celebrates Australia granting one million permanent humanitarian visas to people like Andrey fleeing conflict and hardship.

In their initial years after arrival, those seeking asylum face several barriers particularly in relation to language and identifying long-term, skilled employment opportunities. As a result, they experience higher unemployment and lower workforce participation.

Every year, ASESS supports 750 people seeking asylum like Andrey annually by addressing the barriers they experience in finding sustainable and skilled employment.