"It was challenging but exciting. We worked as a team, dividing responsibilities: some prepared the wires, others connected them to terminals. My task was to prepare the wiring. We had to assemble a circuit and make it work. Although we didn’t manage to complete everything, this was a learning experience, not a competition task. The most important thing was gaining knowledge and hands-on experience."
This is how Angelina, a participant in the Learning Through Competition training organized by the EdUP project, described her experience. Angelina is a first-year student at the Odesa Center for Vocational Education. Together with her classmate Kyrylo and their vocational instructor, she was part of one of the 12 teams from partner vocational education institutions that traveled to Kyiv for the training.
“My father is an electrician, and since childhood, I have helped him on job sites. At first, I just observed, then I started assisting, and now I am studying to become an electrician myself. I already work independently with devices for grounding checks. This has become my passion."
During the training, 12 vocational instructors and 25 students practiced assembling an electrical panel using modular equipment from Schneider Electric, with tools provided by Phoenix Contact Ukraine. These two private companies, long-time partners of the EdUP project, have consistently supported training sessions and competitions.
Industry Support for Future Professionals
"Children are our future, the ones we can rely on. These specialists will be the ones rebuilding Ukraine, ensuring its safety, energy independence, and reliability, and driving advancements in the energy sector. For the training, we provided a professional set of electrical installation tools—designed for cable stripping, terminal crimping, and other essential operations. This high-quality toolkit will help future electricians perform their work efficiently and confidently."
All participants worked using individual and collective protective equipment, with tools made from recycled plastic.
"Schneider Electric is a company committed to sustainability. We are actively improving our product packaging, eliminating single-use plastics in favor of recycled cardboard. As part of the EdUP project, we provided environmentally friendly equipment for the training, reinforcing our commitment to sustainable solutions in vocational education."
Strengthening Vocational Education Through Collaboration
"Collaboration with companies like Schneider Electric and Phoenix Contact not only enhances the quality of vocational education but also makes it more relevant and practice-oriented. This benefits everyone—students gain in-demand skills, educators refine their teaching methods, and employers receive well-trained specialists."
Beyond technical skills, the training also helped participants improve teamwork, problem-solving abilities, and adaptability—essential competencies for modern electricians and future industry professionals.
