Following our incredible success at the 2024 NESA Awards for Excellence, we’re excited to highlight the first of our winners—Mykola Belo—and his inspiring journey. Named Achiever of the Year, Mykola’s story is a powerful example of resilience and determination. From fleeing war-torn Ukraine to thriving as a construction cadet with Lendlease, his journey showcases the transformative impact of unwavering support and perseverance.
Arriving in Australia in 2022 with just $200 in his pocket, Mykola faced challenges that would test anyone's resolve. At just 18, he had already achieved remarkable success as an Olympic snowboarder and was pursuing an engineering degree in Ukraine. However, the escalation of war forced him to leave everything behind.
His journey to Australia was marked by extraordinary hardship. Unable to leave Ukraine initially, Mykola had to seek special permission to flee to Budapest, where he spent a month grappling with uncertainty and separation from his family. Eventually making it to Australia, he faced the daunting task of rebuilding his life while supporting his mother, who was struggling with mental health challenges.
Despite these obstacles, Mykola's resilience shone through. He quickly secured casual work as a removalist and enrolled in a Diploma of Building and Construction at Holmesglen, managing a two-hour daily commute while balancing work and family responsibilities. In July 2023, he joined Asuria's Transition to Work program, where his journey toward professional success truly began.
Working closely with his Asuria mentor Ellie and Local Employer Engagement Consultant Susan, Mykola received comprehensive support tailored to his needs. This included assistance with resume creation, interview preparation through mock interviews, and crucial confidence-building sessions. The Asuria team helped him explore various employment pathways, ultimately connecting him with Westvic and facilitating his introduction to Lendlease's youth initiatives program.
‘Mykola's achievement is truly remarkable,’ says Nicole Grainger-Marsh, CEO of Asuria Australia. ‘His journey from facing unimaginable hardship to securing a prestigious cadetship with Lendlease shows what's possible when determination meets opportunity. His story reminds us that with the right support and an unwavering spirit, no barrier is insurmountable.’
Through this targeted support and his own dedication, Mykola impressed during multiple interviews with Lendlease, securing a cadetship with one of Australia's largest construction companies. His potential was immediately recognised, and he joined the company in April 2024.
Now thriving in his role, he is set to begin a Bachelor of Engineering at RMIT next year, marking another significant step in his professional journey.
Mykola's story is more than just a personal triumph; it's an inspiration to others facing similar challenges and proof to anyone starting again from scratch that with resilience, support, and determination, nothing is impossible.