Forum on the implementation of reforms of vocational and specialized secondary education in Ukraine was held in Lviv
On August 13, 2024, Lviv hosted a large-scale forum «Partnership of Education, Business and Government for the Recovery and Development of Ukraine: Mission (im)possible?».
The forum was organized by the Swiss-Ukrainian Project DECIDE with the support and in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine.
The event was attended by over 300 participants, including representatives of the Government of Ukraine, Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine, people's deputies of Ukraine, deputy heads of regional state administrations, representatives of communities, and vocational and general secondary schools. In addition, representatives of large Ukrainian businesses and managers of international organizations involved in supporting the vocational education reform took part in the forum's discussions.
The key issue of the forum was how the reform of high vocational school is related to the changes currently taking place in the vocational education system. It is expected that starting in 2027, Ukraine will introduce a three-year specialized secondary education (grades 10-12) in academic or vocational fields. In order for teenagers to choose a field of study based on their own interests, professional preferences, and career prospects, the education system must provide high-quality career guidance.
At the forum, new direction «DECIDE: VET» was presented, within which DECIDE project will provide expert and technical support in controlling models of cooperation between regional military administrations, territorial communities, schools, vocational schools, and businesses to create a system of career support for students in choosing their future profession with a focus on vocational field. At the same time, a number of other tasks are planned within this direction that will contribute to modernization of vocational education system.
A separate panel of the forum was devoted to successful cases of cooperation between vocational schools and businesses, in particular, involving young people in internships at enterprises.
To understand the vision of cooperation between education, business, and government hindering the effectiveness of this partnership, participants were also asked to take a survey in Mentimeter at the beginning, during, and at the end of the forum.