The Swiss-Ukrainian project EdUp* develops the business-supported vocational education system for construction professions in Ukraine. This will enable the youth and adults, including veterans, internally displaced persons, and Ukrainians returning from abroad, to acquire skills well-tailored to the needs of the labour market and ensure their livelihoods during the economic turmoil.
Over the next four years, Switzerland will support 28 vocational institutions in Ukraine that will educate people in six construction trades: plumber, facade insulation, welder, electrician, tiler, and concrete worker.
"Vocational education is a priority in the field of education in Ukraine, not only for school graduates but also for adults. Furthermore, training in construction professions is the top priority," noted Dmytro Zavgorodnii, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine for Digital Development, Digital Transformation, and Digitalization during the presentation of the project in Kyiv. The event brought together educators, entrepreneurs, government representatives, and international development partners.
The project EdUp is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Geberit Trading LLC and Sika Ukraine LLC. Since 2014, the project has reached 22 regions with vocational education and training activities.
"Phase III of the project means more challenges, more partners, more institutions, more professions, more areas of activity, and more students. The main focus is on the future employment of graduates: ensuring they can find in-demand jobs and receive decent salaries," emphasized Poshan KC, Director of Swisscontact in Ukraine.
The project will cover vocational education institutions with an increasing focus on eastern regions of Ukraine that were severely affected by the ongoing hostilities. However, the educational process will be adjusted to the security situation in the frontline areas.
"It is necessary to involve vocational education institutions not only in western Ukraine but also in eastern Ukraine, adapting programmes to the learning conditions, and equipping shelters," said Andre Huber, Head of Cooperation at the Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine.
Involvement of private partners, work-based learning and entrepreneurship training are an integral component of the project, which will also implement new teaching methods, such as electronic learning materials, digitization of the educational process, and the creation of digital educational resources, as well as enhance the organizational development of vocational institutions.
"Our common goal is to provide people with a profession so that they can earn a living. After two years of the coronavirus epidemic and almost two years of war, people must have hope for a better future," emphasized Oleksiy Rakov, CEO of Geberit Trading LLC.
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* The project "Public-Private Partnership for Improving Vocational Education in Ukraine" (EdUp) is implemented with the financial support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Geberit Trading LLC, Sika Ukraine LLC, and is carried out by the Swiss Foundation for Technical Cooperation "Swisscontact" in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine.
