EdUp
What we do
Offer Diversification
Direction: Offer Diversification
This project direction is designed to help vocational education schools become confident players in the labor market by aligning their educational offerings with the needs of its participants through the synchronization of professional and educational standards.
Objectives:
Sub-Directions:
This sub-direction aims to improve the marketing awareness of vocational education leaders through training based on the Labor Market Navigator.
This sub-direction provides organizational support to pilot institutions in designing and launching short-term courses aligned with market needs.
Vocational training instructors and specialized subject teachers participate in conferences, masterclasses, and seminars led by business representatives to learn how to use modern equipment and technologies.
Focused on developing test samples, evaluation materials, and staff training, this sub-direction ensures the validation of skills gained through careers or informal learning.
This involves researching labor market needs, communicating with the National Qualifications Agency, and forming working groups to draft professional standards.
Indicators:
New Ways of Learning
Direction: New Ways of Learning
This direction focuses on identifying, analyzing, and addressing current challenges in vocational education in Ukraine. Through ongoing dialogue with educators, the team develops and implements innovative learning materials such as interactive manuals, mobile applications, and video guides. These resources are designed for use in both in-person and remote learning formats. While embracing modern technologies, the project also emphasizes traditional printed materials, ensuring the continuity of education in the face of energy supply instability.
Objectives:
Sub-Directions:
Focused on identifying challenges faced by vocational institutions and addressing these gaps by creating both digital and analog learning materials.
Initiatives like the nationwide “Carousel” project foster professional communities among vocational training teachers, facilitating collaboration and the exchange of innovative practices. These gatherings inspire joint projects and strengthen cooperation among educators.
Provides training for psychologists in project institutions to address contemporary challenges, including working with internally displaced persons (IDPs), veterans, and adult learners.
In collaboration with other EdUP project directions, this sub-direction trains educators and learners in soft skills. It also develops assessment tasks for conferences and competitions, finding optimal ways to increase engagement and improve knowledge retention.
Indicators:
Private Sector Engagement
Direction: Private Sector Engagement
This direction aims to foster effective collaboration between the private sector and vocational education and training (VET) institutions to improve the quality of workforce preparation, enhance institutional capacity, and align the educational process with the evolving needs of the labor market. The ultimate goal is to ensure graduates are well-equipped to meet employer expectations and succeed professionally.
Goals:
Sub-Directions:
1. Strengthening Business Collaboration at the Institutional Level
Promoting partnerships through targeted training, advisory sessions, short courses, exposure visits, masterclasses, and co-developing actionable guidelines for collaboration with business representatives.
2. Advancing Workplace-Based Learning Quality
Supporting VET institutions to adopt and implement mentorship programs and dual education models. Providing tools and processes for effective planning, execution, and assessment of workplace-based learning (WBL) to improve training outcomes.
3. Business Platforms for Vocational Education Development
Encouraging structured business participation (e.g., associations, unions, advisory boards) in the vocational education ecosystem. This includes creating functional collaboration platforms, establishing supervisory boards, and delivering expert guidance to modernize and adapt educational practices to labor market trends.
Key Results Indicators:
Organizational Development
Direction: Organizational Development and Labor Market Insertion
This direction aims to enhance the organizational capacity of vocational education and training (VET) institutions by improving management practices, educational processes, and communication strategies. It also emphasizes the importance of fostering partnerships with local communities, businesses, and authorities to ensure the competitiveness of graduates in the labor market.
Objectives:
Sub-Direction Descriptions:
1. VET Institutional Management
Focuses on advancing the leadership and administrative practices of VET institutions. This includes supporting leaders in implementing reforms, organizing efficient educational processes, and developing mechanisms that align institutional operations with labor market needs.
2. Image Campaign for Vocational Education
This sub-direction focuses on shaping a positive public perception of vocational education. It includes communication campaigns that showcase the benefits of vocational training, highlight graduate successes, and challenge stereotypes associated with vocational education in Ukraine.
3. Graduate Labor Market Integration
Designed to facilitate the seamless transition of VET graduates into the workforce. Activities include professional orientation programs, career development initiatives, and fostering collaborations with local businesses to create employment opportunities for graduates.
Key Results Indicators:
Infrastructure Support
Direction: Infrastructure Support (“Upgrading Vocational Education Institutions’ Infrastructure”)
Direction focuses on the construction and renovation of vocational education and training (VET) institutions.
During the first phase of this component, it supported 9 vocational education and training (VET) institutions in regions affected by the war, including Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Chernihiv, Romny, Poltava, Brovary, and Kyiv.
Areas of Support for Institutions:
Sub-Directions Description
1. Shelter Renovations
This sub-direction focuses on improving shelter conditions and enabling offline learning in institutions.
2. Accessibility
This sub-direction ensures that shelters are accessible to people with limited mobility, promoting inclusivity.
3. Installation of Photovoltaic Power Plants
This sub-direction addresses the need for shelter autonomy and creates opportunities for future expansion of photovoltaic systems to ensure the entire institution’s energy independence.
4. Thermal Modernization of Buildings
This sub-direction involves facade insulation, window replacement, and roof repairs to enhance energy efficiency and create comfortable learning environments.
Coaching and education for employment in Ukraine
This direction aims to strengthen an inclusive and resilient system of vocational education and training (VET) in Ukraine by integrating war-affected adults into the country’s economic recovery processes.
In partnership with the private sector, educational institutions, and civil society organizations, the EdUP team is developing a modern model of short-term vocational training that combines the development of technical and life skills, psychosocial support, and coaching to improve employability and promote sustainable livelihoods.
The program is implemented across five vocational education institutions located in Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa, Mykolaiv, and Kharkiv, and includes three learning cycles lasting from three to six months, with an additional phase focused on adaptation and mental health. Within this direction, 510 graduates will complete training programs in construction-related occupations — electrical installation, plumbing, and welding.
Objectives of the direction
- To strengthen the inclusiveness and quality of vocational education for adult learners.
- To expand opportunities for employment and self-employment in sectors critical to Ukraine’s reconstruction.
- To enhance the capacity of vocational education and training institutions to deliver modern, short-term programs aligned with labor market needs.
- To integrate psychological support, soft skills, and entrepreneurship education into the learning process.
Description of sub-directions
Short-term vocational courses
The program focuses on construction-related professions — electricians, plumbers, and welders — developed jointly with the private sector to ensure the relevance of knowledge and practical skills. The modular training format allows participants to acquire a profession and enter the workforce in a relatively short time.
Coaching and psychosocial support (MHPSS)
A unique feature of the program is the combination of vocational training with mental health support. Coaching includes both individual and group sessions aimed at developing self-confidence, emotional regulation, stress resilience, and social adaptation skills.
Entrepreneurship and life skills
The program provides basic training for participants who plan to start or manage their own business (as individual entrepreneurs), with the possibility of supplementing it with additional practical modules.
Institutional development of partner institutions
The project enhances the capacity of five vocational education institutions by modernizing equipment, developing new curricula, training teachers, and introducing contemporary management practices.