From 27 September to 10 October 2021, an all-Ukrainian training was held for teachers of vocational and career-level education institutions on the implementation of the Skills for Successful Careers course. 369 employees of these institutions from all over Ukraine successfully passed the test and received upgrade qualification certificates.
Taras Derkach, Career Hub Project Coordinator of the Centre for CSR Development:
“Over the last 5 years, I have seen changes in cooperation between businesses and education; many companies support student employment and offer internship programmes. This is facilitated by the Pact for Youth initiative and the Skills Lab training programme, which helps young people develop soft skills. We have seen the great need for these skills among young people studying in vocational schools, who also do not know how to present themselves to the employer. That is why this course is very important. It is approved by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and is available for implementation as electives and additions to existing subjects.
The online training is organised by the Centre for the Development of Corporate Social Responsibility with the support of the UNFPA in and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine.
Liudmyla Shevtsova, Liudmyla Shevtsova, UNFPA Youth and HIV Programme Adviser in Ukraine:
“In recent years, Ukraine has seen a marked trend to increase the number of young people who have been unemployed for more than a year. And the pandemic has had a big impact on that. This is due to the shortage of jobs, the lack of professional skills and experience of young people that would meet the requirements of employers. I am glad that you have joined the community that is trying to meet these challenges. This investment in education has a very big impact on the development of young people.”
Oksana Dobrovolska, Methodologist at the Volyn region Vocational Training Centre, was the coach at the training course workshops. During the training period, participants received the necessary tools and acquired practical skills for the implementation of the Skills for Successful Careers course in vocational schools, mastered interactive methods that would help develop soft skills in young people. They also received methodical materials of the course, handouts and advice.
A pilot project to implement the course in vocational schools took place in 2020 in 40 vocational and career-level education institutions. The programme consists of 30 lessons and five modules:
“My successful career is in my hands”
“I can find my dream job”
“I’m getting a good job”
“I’m growing professionally”
“I know how to start my own business”
Iryna Bilyk, representative of the Parashchuk Ternopil Higher Vocational School No. 4, and Yuliia Bilohur, representative of the Chernihiv Higher Vocational School of Consumer Services shared their successful experience in implementing the training. They noted that such a course is needed in vocational education institutions and shared the positive aspects of its implementation in their educational institutions in 2020.
Victoria Dzhus, Head of the Department for Interaction with Social Partners and Regional Executive Bodies of the Directorate of Vocational Education of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine:
“Unfortunately, not every teacher can set students up for success and promote building the necessary competencies. The Skills for Successful Careers course will help educators help young people in their career development. I wish the participants of the training to gain useful knowledge and successfully implement it in daily communication with young people.
Trained educators will be able to help young people build successful careers and develop important skills such as critical thinking, time management, creativity, digital literacy, entrepreneurship, emotional intelligence, negotiation skills, project management and more.
