Regional information event of the communication campaign “Together We Learn & Grow” in Ivano-Frankivsk

An information event and discussion titled “The EU strengthens the capacity of the Ukrainian vocational education and training (VET) system to improve the qualifications of Ukrainians to meet labour market requirements” took place in Ivano-Frankivsk on 21 November 2024. It brought together experts from EU projects, the European Investment Bank, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, Diia.Business, and representatives from the business and vocational education sectors.

The event continued the series of regional events within the framework of the All-Ukrainian communication campaign “Together We Learn & Grow. The EU and Ukraine are creating a common European future”, which aims to showcase the support of the European Union for Ukrainian education and youth during the war.

In the context of Russia’s full-scale war, the European Union considers supporting Ukrainian education and young people to be extremely important, not only to overcome current challenges but also for the future. This support aims to maintain the current level of education, establish the concept of lifelong learning, protect human capital, and create a professional personnel reserve for the reconstruction and European integration of Ukraine. Since February 2022, the EU has allocated more than €200 million to projects and programmes that help reduce the negative impact of wartime realities on the quality and safety of education, psychological state, and development opportunities for the new Ukrainian generation.

Among the key areas where the EU has scaled up its work are vocational education and training, reintegration of veterans, and the acquisition of new skills and professions, which will allow Ukrainians to increase their competitiveness in accordance with labour market demands.

Henrik Huitfeldt, Head of Section Public Finance, Business Support, and Social Policies at the EU Delegation to Ukraine: “It is impressive how, despite the war, Ukraine continues to develop its vocational education and training (VET) system. Besides the importance of VET for the country’s recovery, it is also an important tool for reintegration of veterans into civilian life and the country’s economy.”

Overall, under the large-scale “EU4Skills: Better Skills for Modern Ukraine” programme, the EU has allocated €21 million to support infrastructure and equipment for VET. Another €16 million supported reforms and resilience of the vocational education and training system. Thanks to a €58 million loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) and €8.5 million in technical assistance, seven new Centres of Excellence to be established in Ukraine between until 2027.

During 2022-2023, the “EU Support to the East of Ukraine” project allocated €900,000 for dormitory renovations at 23 vocational education institutions. This funding also supports the modernisation and development of new training programmes and retraining courses, including those for internally displaced persons and veterans.

The European Union has allocated €6 million for the “Assistance to vocational education and training in Ukraine/ Skills4Recovery” project on the top of funds allocated by the German, Polish and Estonian Governments. This €14 million multi donor action will provide training to over 4,700 Ukrainians – including internally displaced persons, youth, veterans, and vulnerable groups – in competitive professions for construction, logistics, agriculture, services, and manufacturing.

At the information event, participants engaged with presentations and case studies on VET, discussing the current state of vocational education in Ukraine, its challenges, future trends, and the opportunities created by comprehensive EU support. A key takeaway was that vocational education institutions in Ukraine, including their facilities, teaching methodologies, and staffing, need significant modernisation to meet current industry standards and labour market demands. Therefore, EU support also plays a stimulating role, motivating local authorities and, especially, businesses to join in the revitalisation of the industry. The participants noted that the role of business should be strengthened and its potential as an employer should be used to attract young people to learn modern working specialties.

The event also showcased the “New Economy of Ivano-Frankivsk” (NEF) and Promprylad.Renovation projects, both supported by the EU. These initiatives focus on training specialists for the evolving needs of Ivano-Frankivsk’s economy and feature a modern training facility.

Only 20% of Ukrainian school graduates enter vocational education institutions, while in many EU countries this figure is 60-70%. For example, in 2023, 267,000 recent school graduates entered bachelor’s programmes in Ukrainian higher education institutions, and only 99,000 entered vocational education institutions. Ukraine faces a growing shortage of skilled workers, particularly in fields like construction, transport, metallurgy, and machine building – all sectors reliant on vocational education and training. The EU, in partnership with international and Ukrainian organisations, is undertaking extensive efforts to revitalise vocational education. This includes creating attractive learning environments, showcasing career pathways with competitive salaries, and motivating young people to pursue these skilled trades.

Veronika Tkachenko, National Erasmus+ Office in Ukraine:

“The EU Erasmus+ programme has supported the development of vocational education and training in Ukraine since 2021. Over these years, 10 Capacity Building in Vocational Education and Training (CBVET) projects, 11 Cooperation Projects (within which separate priorities of the past competition were dedicated to supporting Ukraine), and 2 Centres of Vocational Excellence have been launched. Every year, we observe an increase in the level of involvement of Ukrainian vocational education and training institutions in building cooperation with European partners.

Background: The All-Ukrainian communication campaign “Together We Learn & Grow” launched on September 27, 2024, and will run until January 2025, covering all regions of Ukraine, except for the temporarily occupied territories. The campaign will feature numerous educational events, expert discussions, meetings with representatives and beneficiaries of EU programmes and projects, and press tours.

Media partners are: 1+1, ICTV, and Espresso channels, Ukrainska Pravda. Life publication.

To learn more about EU’s support for education in Ukraine and Ukrainian youth visit eu4ukraine.eu. To learn more about the “Together We Learn & Grow” communication campaign and its events visit eu4ukraine.eu and the pages of the EU Delegation to Ukraine on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter/X.

Contacts:

Tetiana Voronina, media expert, EU Project Communicating EU for Ukrainians (CEU4U), which is being implemented by Ecorys, tvoronina9@gmail.com, +38 067 501 11 83