EdUP Project Strengthens the Connection Between Vocational Education and Business
The EdUP project is bridging the gap between vocational education and business, opening doors for students to leading enterprises.
From June 2024 to February 2025, 450 students and 75 educators from 12 vocational education institutions visited various manufacturing companies, gaining invaluable hands-on experience.
Several industry leaders supported this initiative, including IBK Development, Cemark CRH (Podilskyi Cement), Glas Trösch Ukraine (Lviv, Bila Tserkva, Odesa), DTEK Kyiv Electric Networks, Paton International, Abicor Binzel Ukraine, HERZ Ukraine, RAVAK Ukraine, and Ecosoft. Together, these companies contributed approximately UAH 250,000 to support educational visits. Additionally, RAVAK organized a special study trip to the Czech Republic, investing UAH 300,000 in the initiative.
The Role of Company Visits in Vocational Education
Educational and industrial visits play a crucial role in vocational education, allowing future professionals to witness production processes firsthand, experience real working conditions, and explore career prospects.
“During these visits, participants learn about modern technologies, take part in workshops, observe equipment in action, and even try their hand at production tasks. The demand for such visits among students is exceptionally high, as they provide valuable practical experience and a clearer understanding of employer expectations. We are truly grateful to our partners for opening their doors and sharing their expertise.”
Study Trip to the Czech Republic: Training at RAVAK
One of the key highlights of the company visit program was a three-day trip to the Czech Republic, organized by RAVAK https://ravak-ua.com/ for a group of vocational students and educators. The delegation visited RAVAK’s headquarters in Příbram and the SOŠ Jarov vocational school in Prague.
The program included:
- A meeting with RAVAK’s leadership, a factory tour, and a visit to the company showroom.
- Hands-on training in product installation at the RAVAK training center.
- A visit to SOŠ Jarov vocational school, including meetings with the school’s director and Ukraine’s Ambassador to the Czech Republic, Vasyl Zvarych.
- A tour of technical laboratories and the Ptáček plumbing center, offering insights into plumbing industry standards in the Czech Republic.
“Our collaboration with Swisscontact started with an invitation for a group of Ukrainian plumbing students to visit the RAVAK factory and participate in training. We see great potential not only in introducing students to modern European technologies but also in promoting our brand among future installers. This initiative allows us to build a future workforce of highly skilled professionals familiar with our products.”
Oksana Holovko, a teacher at VPU-34 in Stryi and a participant in the trip, shared her impressions:
“This trip was a unique opportunity to observe the technological processes of European sanitaryware production alongside my students. We had the chance to speak with the factory’s owner and managers, participate in product installation demonstrations, and visit SOŠ Jarov vocational school to exchange experiences on training organization.”
Student participant Maksym Fedak added:
“The trip was amazing! We toured the RAVAK factory, learned about new technologies, and even visited stunning Prague. It was a fantastic experience that helped me better understand production processes and gain valuable industry knowledge.”
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Conclusion
The company visits organized within the EdUP project have become a key step in advancing vocational education in Ukraine. These experiences provide students with not only new knowledge but also a deeper understanding of labor market demands. Such initiatives contribute to developing a skilled workforce that will play a vital role in Ukraine’s modernization and reconstruction.
