The “Public-Private Partnership to Improved Vocational Education in Ukraine” (EdUP) at its recent Steering Committee presented a comprehensive report detailing the progress of the project for the period of November 2023 to April 2024. The report, introduced by the Project Manager, Sonja Loosli, was discussed at length and subsequently approved.
A particular focus was on the introduction of the expansion of the project’s activities, particularly an infrastructure component, now designated as the fifth component of the project.
Additional support to 10 VET institutions
This new infrastructure component aims to increase support to ten vocational education institutions located in Ukraine’s southern and eastern regions. These areas have been severely affected by the ongoing Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine, resulting in widespread infrastructure damage, constant air raid alarms, and significant disruption to education process posing a constant threat to students’ lives.
“The main goal of this sub project is to restore ten vocational education schools following the inclusive market system approach under the slogan 'Build Back Better'. The project aims to create safe learning conditions and renew the interest of students - school graduates and adults - in vocational education.”
The fifth component is expected to benefit over 5,000 students, teachers, and staff by providing access to safe shelters that will also function as classrooms and workshops. Reconstruction efforts are set to lower heating costs through thermal modernization and the installation of solar panels, while providing inclusive infrastructure.
Swiss Government to fund infrastructure
The infrastructure component is funded by the Swiss government, through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). Viktor Shutkevych, Assistant Director of the Cooperation Office of the Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine, announced an additional 1.9 million Swiss francs in support.
"These funds will enable us to support ten vocational education institutions from Sumy region to Odesa region. We hope that together with our partners - the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, school management, and the private sector - we will be able to combine our efforts and resources.”
Private sector representatives underscored the urgent need for skilled workers and voiced strong support for the project.
"Business feels an immense need for personnel because a significant part of our company's employees was mobilized, namely 31 percent. The only way to ensure production is to involve young people, specifically graduates of vocational schools."
The Head of Distribution of Sika Ukraine LLC, Georgiy Kovalchuk said that the project holds significant importance to the company.
“We are pleasantly surprised by how talented our vocational education students are. For instance, at the Tilers’ championship, student participants were receiving job offers right during the event"
The main project partner, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine also endorsed the project’s activities.
Enabling model institutions and spreading the experience
Dmytro Zavhorodniy, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine for Digital Development, Digital Transformations, and Digitalization stated that the goal of the project is to enable such model institutions where managers and directors from other vocational schools would visit these institutions instead of going abroad to gain such experience.
“Initially, there will be ten vocational schools. And later we will extend this experience to all other VET institutions.”
The Steering Committee also reviewed and approved the project implementation plan for May to December 2024.
Additionally, a proposal was made to reactivate the Project Advisory Board, comprising private companies and professional associations. This board will serve as a consultative body to develop recommendations for enhancing public-private partnerships in vocational education in Ukraine.
