EU invests millions in vocational education in Ukraine: which institutions have been modernized.

According to ТСН: Henrik Witfelt, Head of the Department of Public Finances, Business Support, and Social Policy at the EU Delegation to Ukraine, emphasized:

“Support for vocational education is a long-term investment in the stability and recovery of Ukraine. Modern, well-equipped institutions help ensure that students acquire the practical skills needed in a competitive economy. The European Union remains committed to working with Ukraine and its partners to build a resilient and future-oriented system of vocational education.”

As part of the project, eight vocational education institutions have been modernized, with a total area of 16,254 m². The renovations included training buildings, workshops, and laboratories, as well as engineering systems. Several schools have been provided with barrier-free access and modern educational spaces that function as mini-manufacturing facilities.

Examples of modernization

For instance, at the Rivne College of Restaurant and Hotel Business, laboratories for milk processing, brewing, and food technology have been opened, as well as a training hotel. Students have the opportunity to work with professional equipment, mastering real production processes. This has allowed the institution to offer two new professions and expand its partner network to nine new companies. “I was very surprised that everything here is so modern. I dream of opening my own cafe and making pastries like top chefs,” shares her impressions student Halyna Oleksiychuk.

Five more vocational schools received agricultural and road construction machinery worth about 4 million euros, among which:

• 43 units of machinery (tractors, combines, trucks, excavators, and bulldozers),
• 35 sets of spare parts and training aggregates.

Innovation centers and support in difficult times

At Vocational School No. 22 in Sarny, a training and practical center “Center for Innovative Transport for Road Construction” has been created, where students are trained to work with modern equipment demanded in the region. The center offers training, retraining, and advanced training for students, internally displaced persons, enterprise employees, and local residents.

Two institutions in war-affected regions received 96 units of modern equipment, ensuring the continuity of the educational process even in difficult conditions.

Thanks to modern workshops and laboratories created under the EU4Skills project, about 8,800 students, pupils, and educators gain access to quality education each year, forming a new generation of Ukrainian specialists.

This project underscores the efforts of international partners in supporting Ukraine in its aspirations for the recovery and development of vocational education. With the modernization of educational institutions and the provision of modern equipment, conditions are created for training highly qualified specialists, which in turn will impact the economic potential of the country.