VET-Business Partnership: A catalyst for economic reconstruction in times of war

Upskilling and Reskilling, Labour market insertion
29.01.2024
Private companies - partners of the "Public-Private Partnership for Improving Vocational Education in Ukraine" project, are putting in significant efforts and continually increasing their contribution to the development of vocational education in Ukraine. 

In addition to providing equipment, educational materials, and expertise, their experts conduct training sessions for students.
Beyond providing essential resources, they are actively engaging with students, sharing knowledge, and fostering innovation in the field.  In addition to providing equipment, educational materials, and expertise, their experts conduct training sessions for students.

Hansgrohe Ukraine, a company that manufactures showers, faucets, and bathroom collections, recently held a motivational lecture and a workshop for students from three institutions participating in the EdUP project in Chernihiv, Cherkasy, and Brovary. They showcased and explained various types of faucets, plumbing fixtures, installation methods, and the latest energy-efficient technologies in the company's equipment.

Kermi Ukraine, a manufacturer of radiators, heating and cooling panels, and residential ventilation systems, conducted a seminar-workshop for students from three institutions in Odessa, Vinnytsia, and Lviv. They provided information on heating types, heat transfer methods, and organized a practical workshop on installing heated floors. The company's experts emphasized the high economic efficiency, capacity, quality, and modern design of KERMI products, which contribute to a healthy indoor climate in buildings.

FADO, a leading manufacturer of engineering plumbing, conducted two workshops for students at the Kyiv Professional College of Civil Engineering. The focus of these workshops was on the installation of plumbing systems. The company is well-known in the market for its extensive range of plumbing systems for heating, water, gas supply, and underfloor heating projects.

"Looking into the Future through Vocational Education" was the theme of a technical seminar by HERZ Ukraine, held at the Dnipro Higher Vocational School of Construction. Students pursuing careers as "Sanitary and Heating Systems Installers" and their educators, under the guidance of HERZ experts, explored several important topics. These included physical and technical characteristics of materials used in pipeline systems, pipes, and fittings. During the training, they also worked on various stages of working with pipeline systems, including cutting, bending, and calibration.

Due to these initiatives, it becomes clear that private companies are not just corporate entities seeking profit; they are enthusiastic partners in the journey towards a better-educated, skilled, and empowered Ukrainian workforce. Through their efforts in collaboration with educational institutions, they are helping to bridge the gap between theory and practice, setting an example of the impact that a dedicated private sector can have on the educational landscape.

Ukraine
Initial vocational education and training
Public Private Partnership to Improved Professional Education in Ukraine
The EdUP project, including its Scale UP initiative, is playing a crucial role in addressing the serious challenges faced by Ukraine's vocational education and training (VET) sector during wartime. The war has destroyed many VET schools and exacerbated a skills shortage that affects several sectors, despite employers' willingness to offer competitive wages and resources. EdUP aims to rebuild and improve vocational schools and break stereotypes about vocational graduates. By decentralising training and aligning it with local economic needs, the project will improve the quality of vocational training, attract additional resources, work with the private sector, and modernise education to equip Ukraine's workforce for today's demands.