In 2017, the Zaporizhzhia Construction Centre for Vocational Education joined the second phase of the EdUP project. The institution had many ideas that would develop the training of plumbers. With the support of the project, the team began to implement them. Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and, as a result, the partial occupation of Zaporizhzhia region, dramatically changed the plans of the vocational school.
Despite all the difficulties, the Centre’s team continues to train students, including plumbers. Serhii Fomich, acting director of the Zaporizhzhia Construction Centre for Vocational Education, talks about the experience gained thanks to EdUP.
About training students with special educational needs
The Zaporizhzhia Construction Centre for Vocational Education offers training as an installer of sanitary systems and equipment to 9th and 11th grade school leavers. In addition, special groups are formed to train young people with special educational needs. For each such group, a working curriculum is drawn up, taking into account their needs, and teaching materials are carefully selected. Each special group consists of 6 to 12 people.
As the institution’s partners are, in particular, utility and service companies, they often take students with special educational needs on work experience.
“When students do an internship, they get to know the team, the site, and the working conditions. In the long run, this makes it easier for them to adapt to the workplace. When they are defending their diploma project, employers recognise them and ask if they want to return to the company as a permanent employee. As a rule, graduates agree to be employed. The entire team of the Centre is committed to ensuring that all graduates are competitive and successful in the labour market. Even when it comes to training students with special educational needs: this is not training for the sake of training, we are focused on results. Many of our graduates work in the public utilities sector, earn income and are socialised. We are proud of such examples and want to see more of them,” says the acting director.
About training under martial law
The city of Zaporizhzhia is close to the front line. Therefore, security issues are taken extremely seriously here. For about a year, the Zaporizhzhia Construction Centre for Vocational Education worked remotely. It was only in the spring of 2023 that the institution received permission to conduct training in a blended form.
“While we were organising the educational process remotely, electronic textbooks and mobile applications helped us a lot. Since some of the topics in the textbooks are cross-cutting, such as drawing, materials science, and fittings, they were used to teach students of other professions. I see that teachers of particular subjects are actively using the apps even now,” says Serhii Fomich.
About career guidance
Before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the vocational school was actively involved in career guidance for schoolchildren in Zaporizhzhia and the region. We held open days, career quests, guided tours, and master classes. Under martial law, the institution holds online meetings with potential applicants: they offer tests on professions, web quests, and show educational videos.
“We used to visit secondary schools and local communities, our vocational instructors told schoolchildren about construction professions and held masterclasses. Schoolchildren perceived the installation of a faucet or the replacement of a screw as an exciting adventure. At the same time, they were able to touch the plumbing profession and better understand its essence,” says Serhii.
At the same time, they work with parents, because they have a great influence on children’s decisions.
“Our new training and practical centre has a great influence on the opinion of parents. It has 26 seats and is equipped according to a modern design. There are the latest simulators, bathroom, toilet and kitchen fixtures, and boilers. Each student has a set of tools. After seeing the workshop, parents are more confident in sending their children to study,” the head of the institution emphasises.
On cooperation with business
The Zaporizhzhia Construction Centre for VET has partners among utility companies and private companies that provide construction services. Employers are involved in the development of curricula and provide feedback on training at the institution.
“I think our facilities are on a par with most companies in terms of material support. When students come to work or do an internship, they don't see anything revolutionary: it's familiar machinery and equipment. In practical training, employers have to adapt the workplace to the student, so companies consult us,” says Serhii.
What are your wishes for EdUP?
In the future, the team of the Zaporizhzhia Construction Centre for Vocational Education would like to continue activities for craftsmen and teachers of specialised subjects.
“Our teachers are happy to attend educational and practical conferences and trainings organised by the EdUP project. In addition to purely professional interest, they communicate with colleagues from other VET schools. Over the years of participation, a certain community has formed among them, where they can exchange views and learn about the experience of others in solving certain issues. Continuation of such events will greatly contribute to the professional development of teachers and vocational instructors,” says Serhii Fomich.
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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.