As a result of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, a substantial portion of the working-age population has been mobilised into the Armed Forces. The transition of service members back into civilian life requires comprehensive state support, particularly in the field of education. To support this transition, it is crucial to develop tools that offer opportunities for acquiring new knowledge, retraining and career development.

A significant step in this direction was the launch of the national Education for Veterans platform in December 2024. This initiative was introduced by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine with the support of the Skills4Recovery programme. Skills4Recovery is a multi donor initiative funded by the European Union, Germany, Poland and Estonia. The programme is implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the Solidarity Fund PL (SFPL). It also contributes to the implementation of the Strategy for the Transition and Integration of Veterans into Education and the Workforce and is part of the National Strategy for the Development of Inclusive Learning through 2029.

Given that over 70% of veterans had formal employment before mobilisation, and more than 50% will require new employment, the platform offers access to over 1,000 educational opportunities. These range from short-term courses to full-time programmes in vocational, professional pre-higher and higher education. 

The platform's primary aim is to help veterans access high-quality and relevant education that is tailored to their individual needs, thereby broadening their prospects for personal and professional growth in civilian life.

Key features of the platform include:

• A catalogue of formal and non-formal educational programmes, providing detailed information on institutional accessibility, admission requirements and funding options.

• Labour market forecasts identifying the most in-demand professions up to 2027.

• An inclusive user interface with adaptations for people with visual impairments.

The Education for Veterans platform is more than just a digital educational tool – it is a vital step towards bridging the gap between military experience and new opportunities in civilian life. Accordingly, education plays a pivotal role not only in professional reintegration but also in psychological recovery and social inclusion.

For more information: https://osvitaveteraniv.gov.ua/en

Source: Eurydice Unit Ukraine