Planning and strategic documents
We supported Ukrainian partners in developing and implementing such documents. SFPL experts analysed the strengths and weaknesses of vocational school networks in different regions of Ukraine. Based on these analyses, regional development strategies for these networks were prepared. These strategies were officially adopted for implementation by regional authorities in all regions of Ukraine and became the basis for active development policy, including investment planning.
We also supported partners in the practical implementation of selected tasks outlined in the strategies, for example by helping vocational schools establish international cooperation. This resulted in the first-ever Erasmus+ projects in Ukraine’s vocational education sector. Nine such projects received funding as part of partnerships with schools in Poland. SFPL’s support covered both initiating the partnerships and preparing the projects themselves.
The most important strategic document was produced at the final stage of the programme: an update of the Concept for the Implementation of Vocational Education Reform for 2020–2027. The update was necessary to address new challenges related to the war and the planned reconstruction. SFPL experts assisted Ukrainian partners in revising the Concept, with new reform goals – such as updating the register of professions and changing the way student internships are organised – inspired by Polish solutions. To familiarise themselves with these approaches, partners, including representatives of the Ministry of Education, parliament, and employers’ organisations, participated in consultation visits to Poland.
Proposals for changes in vocational education financing
In EU countries, vocational education is financed from multiple sources, with cooperation between regional authorities and businesses. Budgets at both national and regional levels take into account labour market needs and the varying costs of training for different professions, while funding systems recognise the key role of workplace internships.
SFPL provided the Ukrainian Ministry of Education with a detailed package of proposals for implementing these standards, including draft regulations, school application templates, and financial simulations. Although the war halted the implementation process, most proposals were incorporated into the draft of the new Vocational Education Act developed in July 2023, also with SFPL’s expert support.
Labour market information system
We supported the development of this system to better align school curricula with labour market needs. Together with Ukraine’s State Employment Service, we conducted four large-scale employer surveys, including after the start of the full-scale invasion, as well as graduate tracking studies. The most recent report (2022–2023) included an analysis of labour market challenges and prospects during wartime, forecasts of workforce and skills needs for Ukraine’s post-war development, and scenarios for changes in labour demand under both optimistic and pessimistic conditions.
To ensure the system’s sustainability, we prepared and delivered custom software for these studies to Ukrainian partners. Our experts also trained State Employment Service staff in labour market research methodology, data analysis, and application of results.
Introducing career guidance into school curricula
In Poland, career guidance is introduced from the earliest grades. We promoted this approach in Ukraine by supporting the Ministry of Education in developing new curricula for grades 1–4, 5–9, and 10–12. As a result, the new national standards adopted by regulation include career guidance, either as a separate subject or integrated into other subjects.
We then helped prepare model school programmes and produced 13 career guidance textbooks for different grades (15,000 copies in total), which reached over 60,000 students in the 2022/2023 school year. The materials are also available online at kariera.in.ua, a website developed by SFPL and later handed over to the Ministry.
We worked intensively with teachers to implement the new subject: over 2,000 teachers took part in our training, and for 600 vocational schools we prepared lesson plans for career guidance. We also trained teacher-training centre instructors to include career guidance methodology in teacher education programmes.
Ensuring education continuity during wartime
To support uninterrupted learning after the Russian invasion, we prepared 30 online vocational training courses. With the support of the Polish Ministry of Education and Science, SFPL obtained the rights to translate Polish courses and adapt them for Ukraine. The courses were published on the Ukrainian e-learning portal profosvita.online.
We also purchased and delivered 800 laptops to teachers and students most in need – those displaced by the war and unable to study in destroyed schools.
Together with our partners, we will continue to support the development of vocational education in Ukraine. We thank everyone for the results achieved and look forward to further cooperation.
