As the world is becoming increasingly innovative and technologically advanced, rapid adaptation to new challenges is essential. Vocational education and training (VET) plays a pivotal role in this process by developing the country's social capital and preparing a skilled workforce to meet the demands of the modern economy.

The annual Education Conference held in Kyiv on 26 August 2024 emphasised that VET is a top priority for the Ukrainian government and a strategic element of the country's reconstruction and future prosperity. The main objective of the VET reform is to improve professional skills, ensuring competitiveness, mobility and career prospects for individuals throughout their lives. The reform focuses on several key areas: 

 

As a result of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation on February 24, 2022, VET has undergone significant transformations. Legislative amendments have allowed the education system to adapt to the realities of martial law, helping to reduce unemployment and facilitate rapid retraining for those displaced by the war. At the same time, the Ukrainian government has promoted vocational training to meet the growing demand for blue-collar jobs. Ukrainian VET institutions are now licensed to train drone operators, while also developing programmes in IT, renewable energy and other fields.

International cooperation has been instrumental in advancing VET reforms in Ukraine. One notable example is the EU4Skills programme, a joint initiative of the European Union and its member states - Germany, Finland, Poland and Estonia  - which ran from 2019 to 2023. This programme aimed to align VET with labour market needs and had a total budget of €58 million. Of this amount, €21 million was earmarked for the modernisation of equipment and infrastructure in VET institutions, a process that continues today.

Another significant initiative is the ReSkill UA programme, launched this year by Happy Monday in partnership with Coursera and supported by the USAID Competitive Economy Programme and the Ministry of Economy. This programme offers free online training in 11 education areas, helping individuals to develop qualifications that are relevant to the skills market. It is open to 30,000 Ukrainians, including beginners, professionals looking to change or expand their career paths, aspiring entrepreneurs, and those starting their own businesses.

VET reform in Ukraine is becoming a key component of the country's recovery and the development of a modern, innovative economy. With international support, the integration of advanced technologies and close cooperation with the business community, these reforms are addressing immediate labour market needs while laying the foundations for long-term economic growth. In addition, VET reforms are crucial in creating opportunities for the return of Ukrainians displaced by the war and facilitating their reintegration into the country’s economic life.

Source: Eurydice Unit Ukraine