The Dnipro Higher Vocational School of Construction is one of six VET schools participating in the Ukrainian-Swiss project “Public-Private Partnership for Improving Plumbing Education in Ukraine” (EdUP) since 2014.
During the first phase of the project, the VET school
created a strong logistical facilities. In addition, teachers and vocational
instructors who teach this profession have taken advanced training and
internships. The second phase allowed us to increase cooperation with
businesses and provide training for teachers and school leadership.
A variety of training materials for plumbing students
In the first phase, the project team developed textbooks and workbooks. Each plumbing apprentice received a printed copy. However, plumbing technologies are changing very quickly, and the content of the materials has become outdated. In addition, with the onset of the pandemic, students first switched to distance learning and then to blended learning and used mostly electronic resources. Therefore, as part of the second phase of the project, mobile applications were created to study water supply and sewage systems, heating, pipes and fittings.
“Currently, the educational process at the school is carried out offline. We train plumbers in integration with electric and gas welders, and in these professions, on-the-job training is of particular importance. Therefore, we have always tried to conduct hands-on classes in person, and deliver theory online. Thanks to the EdUP project, we have attracted more business partners. After visiting our vocational centre for plumbers, they become eager to cooperate. For example, such plumbing brands as Geberit, Grohe, Kermi, Herz, KAN, and Aquatherm provide training stands with their products. This helps instructors to better explain a particular plumbing process and show a variety of materials. By the way, when these companies hold events in Dnipro, they often invite our teachers, who are happy to attend such events,” says
She also noted that after the educational and practical conferences and trainings organised by EdUP, they receive videos, trainer presentations, teaching materials, etc.
“Vocational instructors and teachers use these materials during their training lessons. It should be noted that when organising distance learning, electronic materials become useful and invaluable in the educational process. We are constantly trying to maintain high-quality educational content for the profession of installer of sanitary systems and equipment,” Vira Kuznichenko adds.
About the training sessions
“Previously, the Ukrainian-Swiss project trained teachers and instructors at workshops and trainings. For the last 2 years, training has been conducted in the format of full conferences. And it is much more interesting and dynamic. Representatives of plumbing companies show materials, tools, and equipment, and hold practical sessions,” says Vira Kuznichenko.
Another achievement of the project is the updating of the educational standard for the profession of “Installer of sanitary systems and equipment”. The document has been revised several times over the course of the project. Representatives of the Dnipro School are constantly involved in the work on the educational standard.
The last update of the professional standard took place in 2022. Vitalii Nemyrovskyi, a vocational instructor at the Dnipro Higher Vocational School of Construction, was a member of the working group that developed the document.
What are your wishes for EdUP?
The EdUP project currently supports educational institutions, including the Dnipro Higher Vocational School of Construction, with tools and materials for educational purposes.
“All the events organised by the Ukrainian-Swiss project are very informative and useful for mastering the profession. At this stage, the SantechLux training and practical centre needs to be strengthened in terms of material and technical resources. For example, fittings for tension sleeves and press sleeves cost from UAH 200. A large budget is needed to ensure that each of the group’s 25 students can practice their skills in the workshop. In addition, expensive equipment such as pumps, cleaning systems, etc. is needed to improve the training. So in the future, in addition to continuing the training of teachers and craftsmen, we would be happy to provide assistance”, she concluded.
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The Public-Private Partnership to Improved Plumbing Education (EdUP) is a project of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, in partnership with Geberit Trading LLC, implemented by Swisscontact Foundation for Technical Cooperation and supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine.