Warsaw, 12 January 2023

 

Inauguration of the new project of ZPP and Totalizator Sportowy Foundation –
“Business for Ukraine Center”

 “Business for Ukraine Center” is a project of the Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers (ZPP) and the Totalizator Sportowy Foundation, which aims to support the development of Polish-Ukrainian economic relations in the difficult conditions of war and continued attacks by the Russian army on infrastructure and industrial facilities in Ukraine. The center is expected to help several hundred entrepreneurs and companies from Ukraine.

The capital’s Freedom Lounge presented an offer of a new program of the Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers (ZPP) and the Totalizator Sportowy Foundation on support for Ukrainian companies in launching investment activities in Poland and the European Union. As part of the assistance that will be provided to companies that relocate to Poland during the war and plan to expand into the European market looking for new partners, the “Business for Ukraine Center” will provide, among others, business and localization advice, assistance in finding Polish contractors or investors. The center will also provide its clients with free coworking space. In addition, there will be educational webinars on the conditions for doing business in Poland, current regulations or funding opportunities. Companies will be able to benefit from assistance in finding a location for their business. At the same time, the Center has the opportunity to provide free production space in Warsaw.

The Thursday inauguration of the Center was attended by Minister of Development and Technology of the Republic of Poland Waldemar Buda, President of the Board of Totalizator Sportowy Olgierd Cieślik, President of the Board of the Totalizator Sportowy Foundation Izabela Wyżga, President of the Board of the Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers Cezary Kaźmierczak and Bogusława Rudecka, Director of the Business for Ukraine Center at ZPP.

The “Business for Ukraine Center” program will also provide assistance and advice to Polish companies that are looking for business partners from Ukraine or are interested in participating in the reconstruction of post-war Ukraine.

“Given the large influx of companies from Ukraine – our data says that some 17,900 Ukrainian companies have been established in Poland – the program opening today fits in very well with this trend, and our first task should be to identify the problems of Ukrainian companies. As a government entity, we always pledge our support for such initiatives” , Minister Waldemar Buda said at the event.

Cezary Kaźmierczak, President of the Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers (ZPP): “I am convinced that this next project of ours will benefit both the Ukrainian and Polish entities. For obvious reasons, we are seeing a rapid increase in the interest and activity of Ukrainian companies in the Polish market. In 2022 alone, Ukrainian citizens opened some 20,000 businesses in Poland. We are currently seeing high demand for this project. These days, Ukrainian businesses are looking to Poland for what is most important – security. It is also necessary to take advantage of geographic location, similarity of mentality, proximity of cultures and the natural desire to help one’s neighbor”.

Olgierd Cieślik, President of the Board of Totalizator Sportowy: “Totalizator Sportowy has always focused on being active – not only in terms of sports or culture, but also social and business activity. I am pleased that the Totalizator Sportowy Foundation, which we have established, supports such a valuable initiative as the Business for Ukraine Center. I am convinced that thanks to the center, entrepreneurs from Ukraine will gain valuable advice and support, and companies established in Poland will allow to build lasting business relationships to the benefit of both sides.”.

In turn, Ms. Izabela Wyżga, President of the Totalizator Sportowy Foundation, the founder of the program, referred to the aspect of uniqueness of the offer: “Through the Business for Ukraine Center program, we aim to provide Ukrainian citizens with comprehensive assistance for their business in the Republic of Poland and Europe. The program is gaining uniqueness and timeliness, as it offers systemic and comprehensive organizational, administrative, legal, as well as consulting and advisory support to Ukrainian entrepreneurs. First and foremost, this initiative makes it possible to provide custom support to companies that are interested in doing business in our country. Moreover, we firmly believe that our original program will contribute to the development of business relations between Ukrainian and Polish companies, and of international dialogue between Poland and Ukraine to build a Polish-Ukrainian community based on mutual trust, cooperation and openness.”

Program Director, Bogusława Rudecka said, “Our offer is aimed at companies with an appetite for growth. In our opinion, the time has come for further development of cooperation with Ukraine and more direct and precise assistance measures tailored to the needs of specific companies. It’s quite a challenge, but we are full of energy to work and to serve Ukrainian companies who, in the face of war, do not give up and try at all costs to find a way out of the difficult situation in which they find themselves”.

The Business for Ukraine Center was established at the initiative of the Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers and the Totalizator Sportowy Foundation.

The program is financed by the Totalizator Sportowy Foundation, and operated by the Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers. The project will be implemented in January-December 2023.

The inauguration of the Business for Ukraine Center was held under the honorary patronage of the Ministry of Development and Technology.

Warsaw, 7 October 2022 

 

Cooperation with Poland and Polish business is a significant opportunity for post-war Ukraine – conclusions of the conference “Europe-Poland-Ukraine. Rebuild Together”

More than 900 people – including entrepreneurs from Poland and Ukraine, local government representatives, experts, parliamentarians and politicians, led by Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki – took part in the international conference “Europe-Poland-Ukraine. Rebuild Together” organised by the ZPP and WEI.

Stakeholders met at the Hilton Warsaw City hotel in the capital to discuss the opportunities for business cooperation between Poland and Ukraine, the conditions necessary for its development and the challenges the community of the two countries face.

This lively meeting has shown that one thing is clear – it is the cooperation of Poland and Ukraine that will be crucial to the process of rebuilding Kyiv. Ukrainian entrepreneurs need Polish experience in the process of economic and social transformation. Polish business, on the other hand, expects social and legal solutions in order to be truly involved in the upliftment of the neighbouring country after the war.

Poland and Ukraine – mutually beneficial cooperation

“«We, and you together, are sitting on the same branch of Moscow’s misery», said Hetman Ivan Vyhovsky at the Hadiach council in 1658. It is high time to learn from this”, said Cezary Kaźmierczak, President of the Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers, opening the conference.

“Over the centuries, through lack of communication, we have done all sorts of stupid things. Moscow benefited from this, skilfully fuelling all sorts of conflicts between us and securing an advantage over us. I hope that this period is now left behind. (…) The Poland-Ukraine alliance and cooperation, if we put our minds to it, can change the balance of power and the shape of Europe. This will give our region greater political and economic significance” – he stressed.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki also spoke about the need to cooperate for the benefit of both countries and business. “We are witnessing a geopolitical turn, a huge change. We need to build a new security architecture, the foundation on which this change is to be based”, he said.

Among the necessary elements, the head of government listed: the reconstruction of Ukraine, its accession to the EU, drawing in more countries with aspirations to join the Community, proper arming of the Polish army, as well as strengthening the defence system within NATO and bringing about «a great reorientation of energy policy»”.

Mateusz Morawiecki indicated that Poland is in favour of confiscating Russian capital and allocating it to the reconstruction of Ukraine. In turn, a new energy policy must, in his view, “consist of moving away from Russian hydrocarbons (…) through a process of sanctions, but also reducing dependence on hydrocarbons in general”.

“The Kremlin, Moscow, Russia and Putin behave like a drug dealer who gives the first doses for free in order to addict the future victim. This is exactly how Russia behaved towards Germany and Western Europe – giving them cheap gas”, he said.

Following the introductory speeches, the conference included three plenary discussions and four panel discussions on specific industries. The first part of the event discussed Poland’s role in the reconstruction of Ukraine, the importance of European cooperation and how to support the cooperation between Poland and Ukraine.

Panel “Reconstruction of Ukraine: what role Poland will play”.

The discussion on Poland’s mission in the process of rebuilding Kyiv was attended by Minister in the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland Jakub Kumoch, Deputy Foreign Minister Marcin Przydacz, MP Michał Dworczyk, MP of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Yelyzaveta Yasko and the President of Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego Beata Daszyńska-Muzyczka.

The topic of their discussion was the character of Poland’s assistance to Ukraine – bilateral, direct. Poland, as the interlocutors emphasised, is an ally of Ukraine on the international stage. It is thanks to the efforts of Polish diplomacy that international aid to the struggling country has been increased. However, it was emphasised that in order for Polish business to be more active on the Ukrainian market and involved in the rebuilding of Ukraine, the administrations of both countries must create friendly and transparent rules.

Minister in the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland Jakub Kumoch stressed that it is business that will rebuild Ukraine, and the role of the state is only to create optimal conditions for this and to support Ukraine on the path to military victory. “Ukraine must be rebuilt with Russian money, which is in the West, and it should be used for this very purpose,” he said.

As the minister pointed out, it is not the case that reconstruction begins only after the war. For this one is already happening during the conflict – after all, the people of the country influenced by it have to live. “Kyiv is coming back to life, as well as Kharkiv. Right now, this main process is starting”, Kumoch noted.

Ukrainian MP Yelyzaveta Yasko acknowledged that Ukraine needs Poland’s experience concerning the transition, but also help with building new infrastructure (including communications and energy) and overcoming logistical problems.

“Businesses will be involved in rebuilding Ukraine, but it is the politicians who need to create the legal framework to safely boost business in Ukraine. (…) It is a huge challenge of what to do to develop business relations between the two countries and how to overcome a number of stereotypes and problems that entrepreneurs realistically have to face,” admitted member of the Council of Ministers Michał Dworczyk.

The President of the BGK Beata Daszyńska-Muzyczka drew attention to financial issues: “there are voices about a second Marshall plan, but there is no public money, nobody wants to give grants, there are only loans, and this is how Ukraine will most likely be rebuilt”.

Ukraine’s needs and European cooperation

Ukraine’s bid to join the European Union means that the country will have to carry out system reforms and face its current issues: the oligarchy of the economy and corruption – these were the main topic discussed during the second panel.

Participants included MP Marek Rutka, President of the Employers’ Group at the European Economic and Social Committee Stefano Mallia, Director-General of the Directorate General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR) Maciej Popowski, UkraineInvest CEO Sergiy Tsivkach, Nova Post Director Inna Khomych and the Executive Director of the Ukrainian Association of Direct Sales Nadiya Bedrychuk.

The debaters discussed together, among other things, how to finance the reconstruction of Ukraine.

“It is necessary to find a new formula for guarantees and long-term loans, a mix of grants and loans,” said Marcin Popowski. The expert recalled that at least EUR 350 billion is needed for the reconstruction of Ukraine – so far the EU has allocated 19 billion. In his opinion, the process of rebuilding Ukraine runs in parallel with the announcement of changes resulting from the EU accession process. These reforms will improve the judiciary, including the fight against corruption.

“Ukraine is changing”, asserted UkraineInvest CEO Sergiy Tsivkach. “At the beginning of the war, about 80 % of Ukrainian companies stopped operating, now about 90 % are operating. And the administration supports business even during the war”, he said.

“When a country is attacked, we protect not only our borders, but also our business”, he said. Tsivkach mentioned that among the problems facing Ukraine were the relocation of businesses and the promotion of new investments – among those coming from Russia.

“I encourage Polish and global investors to consider Ukraine, because the opportunities are huge. Nowhere will you get such a return on investment as you currently do here. What do we need? Cooperation with foreign partners and especially – technology”, he added.

Reconstruction of Ukraine: how to support Polish-Ukrainian business cooperation

The last panel focused on how to improve the interaction of entrepreneurs from neighbouring countries. The Minister of Economic Development and Technology Waldemar Buda, Member of the Ukrainian Parliament Halyna Yanchenko, Executive Director of the Union of Ukrainian Entrepreneurs (SUP) Kateryna Glazkova, President of the Polish Development Fund Paweł Borys, PGNiG’s advisor for cooperation with Ukraine Ireneusz Derek, President of the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Gennadiy Chyzhykov and Member of the PKN ORLEN S.A. Management Board Jan Szewczak discussed what activities and processes could intensify business activity between Poland and Ukraine.

According to the discussion, Polish companies are interested in doing business in Ukraine. At the moment, 1,200 Polish entrepreneurs have already reported their readiness to rebuild Ukraine to the Polish Investment and Trade Agency. However, representatives of these entities are concerned about the protracted procedures in Ukraine and the corruption still present in Kyiv. Therefore, it is important that Ukraine now identifies not only its needs, but also the development model that is most beneficial to it. Foreign investors and other countries can help Ukraine, but the country itself needs to consistently solve the problems that can be obstacles to the investment climate.

Minister Waldemar Buda said that although it is not yet clear in which formula Ukraine will be rebuilt, due to its geographical proximity, but also good relations between the countries, Poland will be its serious ally in this process. “Ukraine faces a great opportunity because foreign financial capital will demand standards […]. This is a kind of catalyst for change from the point of view of public procurement, transparency, accessibility to public information, clarity of processes that take place in the economy”, said the head of the ministry.

According to Paweł Borys, President of the Polish Development Fund, Ukraine’s aspirations to join the EU will also naturally force reforms that will increase its economic credibility and make it a friendlier market for Polish entrepreneurs. “It is extremely important to deoligarchise the economy and fight corruption. It is also necessary to create good conditions for the development of entrepreneurship, especially for companies in the SME sector”, Borys said.

In turn, Ireneusz Derek stressed that PGNiG hopes to drill the first gas wells in western Ukraine later this year. He recalled that the entity had bought a Ukrainian company for this purpose, together with the relevant licence.

Entrepreneurs present on the Ukrainian market also drew attention to problems concerning border crossings. In their opinion, it is necessary to shorten border check times, and it might be worth returning to the solution adopted for the European Football Championship years ago – i.e. a joint Polish-Ukrainian check instead of two separate ones.

Industry discussions

The second part of the conference was devoted to discussions on specific industries. Five sectors were discussed – agriculture and food, defence and arms, transport and logistics, IT and new technologies, and urban and regional reconstruction. You will find separate coverage of these soon on our website and social media – we encourage you to follow them.

The conference concluded with closing speeches. The event’s closing banquet, which was a more relaxed occasion for networking and business, was attended by President of the Warsaw Enterprise Institute Tomasz Wróblewski, Vice President of the Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers Marcin Nowacki, and President of the Employers’ Group at the European Economic and Social Committee Stefano Mallia.

The evening featured a performance by this year’s Eurovision winner, the Kalush Orchestra. It was an energetic, sincere and enthusiastically received conclusion of the entire conference. Their music, based on Ukrainian tradition and drawing on Kyiv folklore, got the crowd dancing. The business community, after listening to many hours of expert discussions on the future of Ukraine and Polish-Ukrainian cooperation, got up from their tables and, by singing and having a great time, showed that it is cooperation and ordinary neighbourly friendliness that are the guarantors of future success.

The conference is one of the elements of the ZPP programme, which aims to establish and strengthen relations between European, Polish and Ukrainian entrepreneurs and to prepare a framework for cooperation in the future reconstruction of the Ukrainian state and economy.

 

Organisers: Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers and Warsaw Enterprise Institute Foundation

Honorary Patronage: Chancellery of the Prime Minister, Ministry of State Assets

Main Partner: PKN ORLEN

Partners: Agencja Rozwoju Przemysłu S.A., Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego, Polish Development Fund, Totalizator Sportowy

This project is co-financed by the state budget as part of a public task.

Brussels, 26 October 2022 

 

ZPP GRANTS AWARDS TO MEPs ON THE OCCASION OF 5TH ANNIVERSARY OF
ITS ACTIVITY IN BRUSSELS

 

In September 2017, the Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers (ZPP) established a representative office in Brussels. Thanks to its presence, the Union can effectively represent the interests of Polish companies and maintain relations with the most important institutions of the European Union.

The beginning of the regulatory activity of the ZPP office in Brussels was the posting of workers in road transport. Over the next years, the ZPP was involved in regulatory works on platforms, copyrights, digital single market, digitisation and energy policy in the Central European Region, as well as the circular economy. The ZPP has also organised 23 events at the European Parliament. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Union worked with other organisations on support programmes for small and medium-sized enterprises, conducted debates on e-commerce and launched on-line meetings with Members of the European Parliament.  The ZPP has been represented in the European Economic and Social Committee for 2 years.

During 5 years of its operation, the ZPP has become a recognisable partner for the EU institutions, building professional relations with European partners. The office has also established cooperation with major European organisations and think tanks. It regularly publishes commentaries, positions and opinions, which can be found in the fortnightly European newsletter.

On Wednesday, 26 October 2022, during the 5th anniversary celebrations, the ZPP granted award to the Members of the European Parliament for their ongoing support in Brussels and promoting the demands of Polish entrepreneurs.

The ZPP special awards went to:

PROF. ZDZISŁAW KRASNODĘBSKI, VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRY, RESEARCH AND ENERGY, MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT – for the continuous support of the ZPP from the beginning of its journey in Brussels and for promoting the demands of Polish entrepreneurs, from the posting of workers in road transport through the involvement in key climate and energy issues.

IVAN ŠTEFANEC, MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT – for supporting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, their opportunities and challenges, for helping the beating heart of Europe continue to work for the economy in all Member States.

KOSMA ZŁOTOWSKI, MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT – for supporting Polish entrepreneurs at every step of their way and on most of the key dossiers, from posting employees in road transport, supporting Polish pharmaceutical manufacturers, to working on the prospects of entrepreneurs in the Digital Services Act, as well as the use of Artificial Intelligence.

HENNA VIRKKUNEN, MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT – for ongoing support for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, reaching out to them at every stage of the decision-making process to ensure their good representation, from posting workers in road transport to the involvement in digital policy.

12th October 2022 r.

 

IT Skills 4U is launched – a joint training program for Ukrainian citizens implemented
by Amazon Web Services (AWS) and the Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers (ZPP)

 

The launch of the IT Skills 4U – a new, free workforce-development program to help Ukrainian citizens acquire new skills and start a career in the IT & cloud industry – was announced at a press conference in Warsaw on Wednesday. The organizers of the project are the Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers (ZPP) and Amazon Web Services (AWS). The program is held under the honorary patronage of the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine and Diia.Digital Education project and Secretary of State for Digital Affairs of Poland and Minister of Family and Social Policy of Poland.

“Around the world, Ukrainians are perceived as a society rich with high-class specialists, unicorn startups, and amazing tech ideas,” said Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation. “We see strong potential in the development of the Ukrainian IT sphere and are doing everything to increase the number of IT specialists. The IT Skills 4U project by AWS will help engage more newcomers in IT and develop careers for experienced professionals. Ukrainians will develop the skills needed to work with cloud tech, which are highly valued in the market now. I believe that the future belongs to cloud-based services. We are grateful to AWS for supporting our vision and for training Ukrainians for jobs in the cloud sector.”

The aim of the IT Skills 4U program is to help Ukrainians with various IT backgrounds obtain the necessary skills and find a job in a dynamically developing sector – cloud computing services. As part of the initiative, Ukrainians – in Poland, Ukraine, EU, and anywhere else in the world – will be able to remotely acquire new skills in the field of cloud computing technology, earn AWS Certifications, and get help in entering the cloud computing industry and advance their career in tech.

Cezary Kaźmierczak, President of the Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers comments: “IT Skills 4U is a unique project because it combines the support and experience of AWS, a global technological leader, the most dynamic organization of entrepreneurs in Poland, and support from Polish and Ukrainian government institutions. This project is largely pioneering because it will provide free educational support in tech to thousands Ukrainians in a coordinated way and help them enter the modern IT labor market”.

IT Skills 4U is a fully free training and career development program, access to which is offered via a website in Ukrainian, Polish, and English languages. On a specially created web platform, learners will find online self-paced courses, access to instructor-led training delivered by accredited AWS Training Partners, vouchers for AWS Certification exams, English and Polish-language classes, soft skills development sessions ,and other support to help them launch and advance their career in tech. All resources will be tailored to the level of IT experience, both beginners in the industry as well as and experienced IT specialists looking for new opportunities. After a short self-assessment of their skills, learners will receive personalized study plans with recommended training courses that they can do at their own pace.

Learners who have completed individual training modules will receive free vouchers for AWS Certification exams, to help validate their skills.

“We are honored to cooperate with the governments of Ukraine and Poland, as well as business organizations such as the Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers to launch IT Skills 4U. It is thanks to this cooperation that we can provide Ukrainians around the world with free, comprehensive cloud skills training and career services that will help them return to the labor market, ”says Maureen Lonergan, vice president of AWS Training and Certification.

“In an increasingly digital world, AWS is democratizing access to cloud-based skills training. We are committed to developing programs that reach everyone, anywhere in life and the world, helping those willing to shape their better future, ”she added.

The IT Skills 4U program will help program participants find extensive professional support opportunities, such as vacancies from more than 30 AWS customers and partners, amd participation in job fairs and meetings with employers. The program also offers CV writing courses, interview preparation sessions, and free English and Polish-language classes. As a complement to technical training, the organizers also provide assistance in developing soft skills needed for meetings with employers and interviews.

Ukrainian and Polish government institutions such as Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine and Diia.Digital Education project and Secretary of State for Digital Affairs of Poland and Minister of Family and Social Policy of Poland supported the Program as honorary patrons.

More than 30 AWS customers and partners have committed to offering Ukrainian learners permanent jobs, internships, apprenticeships, and traineeships in cloud computing roles, including companies such as ABN AMRO Clearing Bank N.V., Altkom Software & Consulting, Digital Virgo, DXC Technology, EPAM Systems, Hapag-Lloyd AG, Ibexlabs, iTechArt Group, Kyndryl, Labra, OpsWorks Co., Profisea, SoftwareONE Academy, Software Development Association Poland, Spyrosoft,  Storm Reply UKI, N-iX, DEMICON, Nordcloud, Capgemini and Transition Technologies PSC, Volkswagen Group Services GmbH, Transform UK, ProSiebenSat.1.

“We are a huge fan of Ukrainian IT talent which makes up an important part of our both local and global workforce. What’s more, supporting our communities is a core DXC brand value. So for us, joining forces with AWS in the ITSkills 4U initiative makes a lot of sense and we are delighted to help refugees in Poland grow skills and build careers in technology,” emphasizes Michal Burda, CEO & Country Managing Director of DXC Technology in Poland.

AWS also plans to hire learners participating in the program into AWS Tech U and ProServe programs and roles in many other teams. In addition, Amazon has committed to employing at least 5,000 refugees in the U.S. by the end of 2024, as part of its ongoing efforts to support people displaced by conflicts. They will receive tailored support and resources through the Welcome Door program.

More information about the program can be found at https://itskills4u.com.ua/. Information will also be provided by: Paweł Fogt, Dyrektor d/s komunikacji ZPP, p.fogt@zpp.net.pl.

The following AWS training and certification programs will be available through the IT Skills 4U portal:

• AWS Academy
  – AWS Academy empowers higher education institutions to prepare students for careers in the cloud and industry-recognized certifications.
  – We work with two Polish universities—Warsaw School of Computer Science and WSB University in Dabrowa Gornicza—to offer the AWS Academy Cloud Foundations course to Ukrainians for free, without enrolling at either university. The course provides a detailed overview of cloud concepts, AWS core services, security, architecture, pricing, and support.
  
  
• AWS Educate
  – AWS Educate is a free online, self-paced learning program. New-to-cloud learners can access a large library of self-paced training and resources in Ukrainian as well as 11 other languages.
  – Learners can access the AWS Educate Job Board to explore and apply to thousands of in-demand jobs and internships with organizations of all types all over the world.
  
  
• AWS GetIT
  – AWS GetIT encourages students 12–14 years old, especially girls, to discover career opportunities in technology.
  – Participants of the program enter into a variety of curriculum activities, which lead to the AWS GetIT competition. During the competition, students use their newly learned skills to creatively design an app idea aiming to solve a social or environmental issue of their choosing.
  – This year, we launched GetIT pilots in Poland and Ukraine. AWS GetIT is offered at a school in Wroclaw, Poland, and through Optima Distant Learning School, a free online educational platform for Ukrainian students.
  
  
• AWS Instructor-Led Training
  – We offer instructor-led training in person in Poland and remotely for other locations. These courses are delivered by AWS Training Partners (ATP) and AWS Authorized Instructors who adapt coursework to the learner’s pace, include various learning modalities, and offer additional support from instructors (e.g., office hours).
  
  
• AWS re/Start
  – AWS re/Start is a full-time, classroom-based workforce-development training program that prepares individuals for careers in the cloud and connects them to potential employers. The program connects more than 98% of graduates with job interview opportunities.
  – We have begun cohorts in Germany and Poland for Ukrainians, and we will continue to add more cohorts across various countries. A technical background is not required to apply.
  
  
• AWS Skill Builder
  – AWS Skill Builder is a digital learning center available in more than 200 countries and territories, allowing learners to quickly and easily access over 500 free on-demand courses ranging from foundational to advanced.
  – AWS Skill Builder offers engaging content to meet different learning goals and styles in more than 15 languages. Individuals can also get course recommendations for learning plans aligned to job roles and technology areas, helping people access the most relevant content for their skill level.

 

***

 

Запущено IT Skills 4U – спільну навчальну програму для громадян України від Amazon Web Services (AWS) та Спілки підприємців та роботодавців (ZPP)

У середу на прес-конференції у Варшаві було оголошено про запуск IT Skills 4U – нової безкоштовної програми розвитку трудових ресурсів, яка допоможе громадянам України отримати нові навички та почати кар’єру в ІТ та хмарній індустрії. Організатори проекту – Спілка підприємців та роботодавців (ZPP) та Amazon Web Services (AWS). Програма проходить під почесним патронатом Міністерства цифрової трансформації України та проєкту Diia.Digital Education та Державного секретаря у справах цифрових технологій Польщі та Міністра сім’ї та соціальної політики Польщі.

“ У всьому світі українців сприймають як суспільство, багате на висококласних спеціалістів, стартаперів та творців дивовижних технологічних ідей,” – сказав Михайло Федоров, Віце-прем’єр-міністр та міністр цифрової трансформації України. “Ми бачимо потужний потенціал у розвитку української ІТ-сфери та робимо все для збільшення кількості ІТ-фахівців. Проєкт IT Skills 4U від AWS допоможе залучити більше новачків у ІТ та розвинути кар’єру для досвідчених професіоналів. Українці розвиватимуть навички роботи з хмарними технологіями, які зараз високо цінуються на ринку. Я вірю, що майбутнє за хмарними сервісами. Ми вдячні AWS за підтримку нашого бачення та навчання українців роботі в хмарному секторі.”

Мета програми IT Skills 4U – допомогти українцям з різним ІТ-фахом, отримати необхідні навички та знайти роботу в швидко розвиваючому секторі  – середовище хмарних обчислень. У рамках ініціативи, українці у Польщі, Україні, ЄС та в будь-якій точці світу зможуть дистанційно здобувати нові навички у сфері технологій хмарних обчислень, здобути сертифікати AWS та отримати допомогу на вступ до галузі хмарних обчислень і розвинути свою кар’єру в техніці.

Цезарій Казьмерчак, президент Спілки підприємців і роботодавців коментує: “IT Skills 4U – це унікальний проект, оскільки він поєднує підтримку та досвід AWS, світового технологічного лідера, найдинамічнішої організації підприємців у Польщі, а також підтримку державних установ Польщі та України. Цей проєкт значною мірою є піонерським, оскільки він скоординовано надасть безкоштовну освітню підтримку в галузі технологій тисячам українців і допоможе їм вийти на сучасний ринок праці в ІТ”.

IT Skills 4U – це повністю безкоштовна програма навчання та розвитку кар’єри, доступ до якої надається через сайт українською, польською та англійською мовами. На спеціально створеній веб-платформі учні знайдуть онлайн-курси для самостійного вивчення, доступ до навчання під керівництвом інструкторів, яке проводять акредитовані навчальні партнери AWS, ваучери на сертифікаційні іспити AWS, уроки англійської та польської мови, сеанси розвитку навичок комунікації та іншу підтримку, щоб допомогти їм розпочати та просунути свою кар’єру в техніці. Усі ресурси будуть адаптовані до рівня ІТ-досвіду, як новачків у галузі, так і досвідчених ІТ-фахівців, які шукають нові можливості. Після короткої самооцінки своїх навичок учні отримають

персоналізовані навчальні плани з рекомендованими навчальними курсами, які вони можуть виконувати у своєму власному темпі.

Учні, які пройшли індивідуальні навчальні модулі, отримають безкоштовні ваучери на сертифікаційні іспити AWS, щоб допомогти підтвердити свої навички.

“Для нас велика честь співпрацювати з урядами України та Польщі, а також бізнес-організаціями, такими як Союз підприємців та роботодавців, щоб запустити IT Skills 4U. Саме завдяки цій співпраці ми можемо надавати українцям у всьому світі безкоштовне комплексне вивчення хмарного середовища та кар’єрні послуги, які допоможуть їм повернутися на ринок праці, ” каже Морін Лонерган, віце-президент відділу навчання та сертифікації AWS.

“У світі, що стає все більш цифровим, AWS демократизує доступ до навчання навичкам хмарних технологій. Ми прагнемо розробляти програми, які охоплять усіх, у будь-якій точці життя та світу, допомагаючи тим, хто бажає створити своє краще майбутнє, ” додає пані віце-президент.

Програма IT Skills 4U допоможе учасникам програми знайти широкі можливості професійної підтримки, наприклад вакансії від понад 30 клієнтів і партнерів AWS, а також участь у ярмарках вакансій і зустрічах з роботодавцями. Програма також пропонує курси написання резюме, сеанси підготовки до співбесіди та безкоштовні уроки англійської та польської мови. Як доповнення до технічного навчання, організатори також надають допомогу в розвитку навичок комунікацій, необхідних для зустрічей з роботодавцями та співбесід.

Українські та польські державні установи, такі як Міністерство цифрової трансформації України і проєкт Diia.Digital Education та Державний секретар у справах цифрових технологій Польщі і Міністр сім’ї та соціальної політики Польщі підтримали Програму як почесні патрони.

Понад 30 клієнтів і партнерів AWS взяли на себе зобов’язання пропонувати українським учням постійну роботу, стажування, учнівство та тренінги на посадах з хмарних обчислень, зокрема такі компанії, як: ABN AMRO Clearing Bank N.V., Altkom Software & Consulting, Digital Virgo, DXC Technology, EPAM Systems, Hapag-Lloyd AG, Ibexlabs, iTechArt Group, Kyndryl, Labra, OpsWorks Co., Profisea, SoftwareONE Academy, Software Development Association Poland, Spyrosoft,  Storm Reply UKI, N-iX, Capgemini, DEMICON, Nordcloud and Transition Technologies PSC, Volkswagen Group Services GmbH, Transform UK, ProSiebenSat.1.

“Ми є великими шанувальниками українських IT-талантів, які становлять важливу частину нашої робочої сили як на місцевому, так і на міжнародному рівні. Більше того, підтримка наших спільнот є основною цінністю бренду DXC. Тож для нас об’єднання зусиль із AWS у рамках ініціативи IT Skills 4U має великий сенс, і ми раді допомогти біженцям у Польщі розвивати навички та будувати кар’єру в галузі технологій,” підкреслює Міхал Бурда, генеральний та керуючий директор DXC Technology у Польщі.

AWS також планує залучати учнів, які беруть участь у програмі, до програм AWS Tech U та ProServe і виконувати ролі в багатьох інших командах. Крім того, Amazon зобов’язався працевлаштувати щонайменше 5000 біженців у США до кінця 2024 року в рамках своїх

постійних зусиль з підтримки людей, переміщених через конфлікти. Вони отримають спеціальну підтримку та ресурси через програму Welcome Door.

Більше інформації про програму можна знайти на https://itskills4u.com.ua/. Інформацію теж надасть: Paweł Fogt, Dyrektor ds. komunikacji ZPP, p.fogt@zpp.net.pl

Наступні програми навчання та сертифікації AWS будуть доступні на порталі IT Skills 4U:

• AWS Academy
  – AWS Academy дає змогу вищим навчальним закладам готувати студентів до кар’єри в хмарній індустрії та отримувати визнані галуззю сертифікати.
  – Ми працюємо з двома польськими університетами — Варшавська школа інформатики і Університет WSB у Домброві-Гурниці — щоб пропонувати курс AWS Academy Cloud Foundations для українців безкоштовно, без вступу до жодного з університетів. Курс містить детальний огляд хмарних концепцій, основних сервісів AWS, безпеки, архітектури, цін і підтримки.
  
  
• AWS Educate
  – AWS Educate це безкоштовна онлайн-програма для самостійного навчання. Новачки, які навчаються хмарним технологіям, можуть отримати доступ до великої бібліотеки самостійних тренінгів і ресурсів українською, а також 11 іншими мовами.
  – Учні можуть отримати доступ до AWS Educate Job Board, щоб досліджувати та подаватись на тисячі затребуваних вакансій і стажувань в організаціях усіх типів по всьому світу.
  
  
• AWS GetIT
  – AWS GetIT заохочує учнів 12–14 років, особливо дівчат, відкривати можливості кар’єрного росту в галузі технологій.
  – Учасники програми беруть участь у різноманітних навчальних заходах, які призводять до конкурсу AWS GetIT. Під час конкурсу студенти використовують свої нещодавно набуті навички, щоб творчо розробити ідею програми, спрямовану на вирішення соціальної чи екологічної проблеми за їхнім вибором.
  – Цього року ми запустили пілотні програми GetIT у Польщі та Україні. AWS GetIT пропонується в школі у Вроцлаві, Польща, і через Optima Distant Learning School, безкоштовну онлайн-освітню платформу для українських студентів.
  
  
• AWS Instructor-Led Training
  – Ми пропонуємо instructor-led training наживо в Польщі та дистанційно для інших локацій. Ці курси проводять AWS Training Partners (ATP) і авторизовані інструктори AWS, які адаптують курс до темпу студента, включають різні методи навчання та пропонують додаткову підтримку від інструкторів (наприклад, робочі години).
  
  
• AWS re/Start
  – AWS re/Start це повна навчальна програма з підвищення кваліфікації в аудиторії, яка готує людей до кар’єри в хмарі та зв’язує їх з потенційними роботодавцями. Програма з’єднує понад 98% випускників з можливостями мати співбесіди з роботодавцями.
  – Ми запустили когорти в Німеччині та Польщі для українців, і ми продовжуватимемо додавати більше когорт в різних країнах. Для подання заявки не потрібна технічна освіта.
  
  
• AWS Skill Builder
  – AWS Skill Builder це цифровий навчальний центр, доступний у більш ніж у 200 країнах і територіях, що дозволяє учням швидко та легко отримати доступ до понад 500 безкоштовних курсів за запитом, починаючи від базових і закінчуючи просунутими.
  – AWS Skill Builder пропонує цікавий контент для досягнення різних цілей і стилів навчання більш ніж 15 мовами. Особи також можуть отримати рекомендації щодо курсів відносно навчальних планів, узгоджених з посадовими ролями та технологічними сферами, допомагаючи людям отримати доступ до найбільш відповідного вмісту для їхнього рівня кваліфікації.

 

Warsaw, 27 July 2022

 

The Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers (ZPP) has launched the Belarus Business Center

 

The Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers (ZPP) has launched the Belarus Business Center project today. The main goals of the Center are to support Belarusian companies in relocating to Poland and support existing Belarusian businesses in Poland.

In light of the intense geopolitical unpredictability and the reputational and business risks, many Belarusian start-up founders, companies’ CEOs, and shareholders have decided to diversify their businesses geographically, open new legal entities abroad and relocate staff there. Poland is offering a competitive taxation level, labor, and office costs as well as a predictable business environment and legislation. Another pro of Poland is a huge Belarusian community, which means that relocated staff will feel most comfortable here and won’t quit their job after relocation.

Back in October 2020, ZPP organized Contact Point for Investors from Belarus, and now it has grown into the ecosystem with a network of consultants, 2 full-time employees, and Open Space for Belarusian companies in the center of Warsaw. 

ZPP’s Belarus Business Center is ready to help Belarusian companies with their questions on taxes, legal aspects, office rental, labor market, and other important things in the process of relocation.

In Business Center Belarusian companies will be able to:

• Consultations on tax issues, legal aspects, office rent, labor market and other important issues in the relocation process;
• Coworking, which can be used by founders of companies in Belarus and in Poland, management of medium and large firms, founders and key employees of start-ups;
• Events such as seminars, webinars, and trainings on legal aspects, accounting, marketing, communications, finance, etc.

All of the listed services will be provided free of charge.

The project is supported by PYXERA Global.

The Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers, known in Poland as ZPP, is the fastest growing and one of the most active employers’ organizations in Poland. Established in 2010, associates 16 regional and 23 industry organizations. ZPP is an apolitical NGO advocating for the free market, fair competition, legal stability and transparency as well as common sense, regardless of political affiliation or outlook.

Contact details:

Aliaksandra, Konsultant ds. projektów

(+48) 515 282 884   

belarus@zpp.net.pl

Dmitry, Project Consultant

(+48) 507 466 921  

belarus@zpp.net.pl

 

***

 

Союз предпринимателей и работодателей (ZPP) сегодня запустил проект Belarus Business Center. Основные цели центра – поддержка белорусских компаний при релокации в Польшу и поддержка действующего белорусского бизнеса в Польше.

В свете острой геополитической непредсказуемости, репутационных и бизнес-рисков многие белорусские основатели стартапов, руководители и собственники компаний приняли решение о географической диверсификации своего бизнеса, открытии новых юридических лиц за рубежом и переводе туда сотрудников. Польша предлагает конкурентоспособный уровень налогообложения, затрат на рабочую силу и офис, а также предсказуемую бизнес-среду и законодательство. Еще один плюс Польши – это большая белорусская диаспора, а это значит, что релоцированные сотрудники будут чувствовать себя здесь максимально комфортно и не уволятся после переезда.

Еще в октябре 2020 года ZPP организовал контактный пункт для инвесторов из Беларуси, а сейчас он развился в полноценную экосистему с сетью консультантов, 2 штатными сотрудниками и Open Space для белорусских компаний в центре Варшавы.

В Belarus Business Center компаниям готовы помочь по вопросам налогов, правовых аспектов, аренды офисы, рынка труда и другим важным вопросам в процессе релокации.

В бизнес-центре белорусские компании смогут:

• Консультации по вопросам налогов, правовых аспектов, аренды офисы, рынка труда и другим важным вопросам в процессе релокации;
• Коворкинг, который может быть использован основателями компаний в Беларуси и за рубежом, менеджментом средних и крупных предприятий, основателеми и ключевыми сотрудники стартапов;
• Мероприятия, такие как семинары, вебинары и тренинги по юридическим аспектам, бухгалтерскому учету, маркетингу, коммуникациям, финансированию и т.д.

Все перечисленные услуги предоставляются бесплатно.

Проект реализуется при поддержке PYXERA Global.

Союз предпринимателей и работодателей, известный в Польше как ZPP, является самой быстрорастущей и одной из самых активных организаций работодателей в Польше. Созданный в 2010 году, союз объединяет 14 региональных и 22 отраслевые организации. ZPP — это аполитичная неправительственная организация, выступающая за принципы свободного рынка, честную конкуренцию, правовую стабильность и прозрачность, а также здравый смысл, независимо от политической принадлежности или взглядов.

Контактная информация:

Александра, консультант проекта

(+48) 515 282 884  

belarus@zpp.net.pl

Дмитрий, консультант проекта

(+48) 507 466 921  

belarus@zpp.net.pl

Warsaw, 20 July 2022

 

“EUROPE-POLAND-UKRAINE. REBUILD TOGETHER”
New ZPP program in support of the reconstruction of Ukraine

 

The Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers (ZPP) is launching the program “Europe – Poland – Ukraine. Rebuild together”, which aims to build and strengthen relations between European, Polish and Ukrainian business communities and to prepare a framework for cooperation in the future reconstruction of Ukraine’s state and economy. We invited leading business organizations in Ukraine to cooperate with the project: European Business Association (EBA), Union of Ukrainian Entrepreneur (SUP) and the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce.

The program will consist of a number of simultaneous projects. A series of sectoral consultation meetings was launched last week to identify and link together representatives of the sectors crucial for the reconstruction of the Ukrainian economy. Three events will take place in Warsaw in June, and in July we organize a consultation round in Ukraine – in Lviv and Kiev.

In parallel, actions will be directed both at supporting Ukrainian firms in relocation to Poland and strengthening cooperation between Polish and Ukrainian businesses, as well as at assisting workers – immigrants from Ukraine – to find their place on our labor market and increase their competences.

The first phase of the program will be summarized at an international conference, which will take place in Warsaw early October. The event will be attended by representatives of the governments, ministries and parliaments of Poland and Ukraine, as well as experts and representatives of companies from industries directly interested in cooperation. The prospects for economic development in Ukraine and its impact on the global economy will be discussed. We will also discuss the needs and expectations of the Ukrainian side in particular sectors, as well as concrete opportunities for Polish business to participate in the reconstruction of Ukraine.

Marcin Nowacki, Vice President of ZPP comments: The reconstruction of Ukraine is one of the key challenges, but also the opportunities that we must face as the European Union and directly Poland. It is very important to build partnership, knowledge and understanding of the Ukrainian market and the needs of Ukrainian companies today. We hope that this work, which we are now undertaking in Poland, and which our Ukrainian partners also undertake, will build cooperation and a group of companies that will actively participate in the reconstruction of Ukraine. In July, we will be present personally in Lviv and Kiev, because we want to give a clear signal that our Ukrainian partners can count on our assistance not only in the most difficult times, but also in the further structural reconstruction of their economy.

Last week, Nazar Bobitski, a specialist with many years of diplomatic experience in Kiev and Brussels, was appointed as adviser to the management of the ZPP and as the representative of the Union in Ukraine. He leads the work of the ZPP office in Kiev, which will coordinate and support Polish and Ukrainian business contacts.

About the details of the “Europe – Poland – Ukraine. Rebuild together” program and other pro-Ukrainian and pro-business activities we will keep you informed on an ongoing basis. Please contact us at: biuro@zpp.net.pl.

Warsaw, 8 June 2022 

 

Are we to expect a return to coal? What is the future of the Polish energy industry? – conclusions from the debate of the Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers

Are we to expect a return to coal? What is the future of the Polish energy industry? – this was the topic of the debate “Energy Transition – an Opportunity or a Threat to the Polish Economy” organised by the Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers (ZPP). The participants included the Undersecretary of State of the Ministry of State Assets, Piotr Pyzik.

Other discussion participants were a journalist of Energetyka24.com, Daniel Czyżewski, the Chief Energy Technology Specialist at ZPP, Włodzimierz Ehrenhalt, and the moderator – Dominika Taranko, a director of the ZPP Energy Forum. The starting point for their conversation was the next edition of the ZPP report prepared by Włodzimierz Ehrenhalt on the energy transition and the accompanying opportunities and threats.

Dominika Taranko started the debate by noting that the energy industry has recently ceased to be an exclusively economic or political subject, and has also begun to concern individual consumers and businesses. “The events that will happen in Poland in the coming years will concern everybody, including Polish companies. Hence the idea to hold a discussion as part of the ZPP Energy Forum on the pragmatic, realistic measures we need to take in order to at least approach the climate targets for 2030 and 2050,” she said.

“Today’s debate is also intended to be a contribution to the discussion on the next ZPP report, published since 2019. In the latest document, we have compiled our findings for the previous year. Despite the fact that Russia invaded Ukraine and our geopolitical situation noticeably changed, we have decided to present the report and discuss it in order to establish the setting for the conversation about energy that we, as ZPP, want to have,” added Dominika Taranko.

Włodzimierz Ehrenhalt explained that the report shows what can happen if we do not base Polish production on green energy. “Green energy is the foundation of a pro-export economy. In the report, I point out that if we do not produce it, we will not be able to sell our goods to EU countries – from yoghurts, through locomotives, furniture, to automotive parts. That is why today the transition to green energy is more important than all the other commitments we have,” he said.

As emphasised by the Chief Energy Technology Specialist, the next twenty years will determine the economic position of the European Union in the global economy. According to him, full implementation of the Fit for 55 package – which envisages reducing net CO₂ emissions by at least 55% (compared to 1990) by 2030 – in Polish conditions is not possible. That is why we need a discussion at European level that takes account of the circumstances and past events in Poland – in other words, the Polish transition process should take account of the specific historical conditions related to the position of coal in our economy.

In the opinion of Włodzimierz Ehrenhalt, decision-makers in the energy sector should have two objectives for the coming years: ensuring energy supply at a level which will enable the state to function on its own resources as it did so far and ensuring the cheapest possible energy supply from outside. “This is a political task because we have to think carefully about where this energy will be the cheapest and operate wisely to obtain it,” said Ehrenhalt.

Piotr Pyzik from the Ministry of State Assets admitted that he – also a Silesian – recognises transition as a topic concerning not only energy but also civilisation. “Mining is more than just energy, it is also culture and customs. I would like this phenomenon to be noticed from Warsaw’s perspective,” he said.

According to the Minister, while designing the transition we must not forget that its goal should be, among other things, to keep the competitiveness of the Polish, and consequently European, economy at the highest possible level. “This is currently the basis of our activities. We also can’t deny that changing the climate is just as important,” he said.

As Piotr Pyzik pointed out, the solutions for the transition to green energy should, however, be as prudent, rational and sensible as possible. “It should not happen that more energy is used to manufacture a wind turbine than it will produce in its entire lifetime,” he added. “When talking about green energy one simply has to be realistic,” he emphasised and added that, as much as we want to, we will not be able to erase coal from the Polish energy landscape so soon. “Primarily because we don’t have anything to replace it with. At present, we simply need coal,” he continued.

Daniel Czyżewski from Energetyka24.com agreed with this thesis. However, the journalist drew attention to the issue of whether the need to switch to green energy is understandable to the majority of the population. “The question that comes to my mind is whether everyone is also able to bear the possible costs associated with the transition,” he said.

“I can certainly agree that the energy transition –together with the full package of legislation, including a European Green Deal – is a civilisational change, indeed already visibly established in culture. However, I wonder if everyone realises how big of a change this will be for all of us,” he said.

Full recording of the debate will be available soon on ZPP social media – Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Youtube.

Meanwhile, the full report by Włodzimierz Ehrenhalt is available at: https://zpp.net.pl/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/08.06.2022-Raport-ZPP-Transformacja-Energetyczna-szansa-czy-zagrozenie-dla-polskiej-gospodarki.pdf

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The debate “”Energy Transition – an Opportunity or a Threat to the Polish Economy” was held as part of the ZPP Energy Forum – a platform within which the Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers focuses all its activities in the field of energy. Details on its operation can be found on the website at: https://zpp.net.pl/forum-energetyczne-zpp/.

If you have any questions or would like to cooperate, please contact the Director of the Forum, Dominika Taranko – d.taranko@zpp.net.pl.