A modern career guidance hub has been established at Vocational and Technical Education Centre No. 1 in Ivano-Frankivsk. This is a space where students in Grades 7–9 can gain practical experience of various professions. The hub was created by the Swiss-Ukrainian DECIDE project, with co-financing from the vocational school.

In particular, the 98 square-metre premises and the 175 square-metre lobby of the facility, as well as the corridor, bathrooms and staircases, underwent routine repairs. Modern equipment, appliances and furniture were also purchased.

 

In the career guidance hub

 

‘The idea behind this hub is to give students in Grades 7–9 the opportunity to experience different professions first-hand. Here, we will guide young people towards careers in light industry and the service sector. I am delighted that we have such committed business partners in Ivano-Frankivsk. Not only have they conducted tours for schoolchildren throughout the year, they have also helped to develop vocational education, and they are now planning to hold masterclasses and various events at the hub. Only cooperation between education, business, and the authorities will help create the kind of career guidance system that our young people so desperately need today, to help them see their career and life prospects in their communities and their country,’ said Valentyna Poltorak, DECIDE Project Manager.

 

Vocational school students teach schoolchildren at a career guidance hub

 

The professional hub comprises a training area and seven practical stations, where students can gain hands-on experience as:

• hairdresser-stylist;
• hairdresser-makeup artist;
• dressmaker;
• tailor;
• embroiderer;
• administrator.

This format helps students learn about different professions and discover which one suits them best. It enables them to make an informed choice and find their path in vocational education.

 

In the career guidance hub

 

‘The career guidance hub is more than just an office; it is a network of locations where we can demonstrate to prospective students what is taught in each profession. Demonstrating the advantages and interesting aspects of various professions to schoolchildren in one place will definitely make it easier for each child to choose the right path and decide on their future profession. In addition, the most modern technology that our current and future students will work with is presented here. It is exactly this equipment that future employees of the various companies represented here will be working with,’ says Nataliia Kohuch, Principal of Vocational and Technical Education Centre No. 1.

The total budget for the project was UAH 4.4 million, of which UAH 4.4 million, of which UAH 497,000 was co-financed by the Vocational Training Centre No. 1 in Ivano-Frankivsk, the rest was funded by the DECIDE project.

 

In the career guidance hub

 

‘We are delighted that, following a competitive selection process, the vocational education institution in Ivano-Frankivsk has been included on the list of ten institutions in Ukraine in which career guidance hubs are being established. This hub will serve as a platform for interaction between secondary education institutions, businesses, state authorities, and local governments,’ says Kristina Torhan, Deputy Head of the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional State Administration.

Meanwhile, the Centre has signed memoranda of cooperation with several companies and institutions that are willing to offer students internships and work experience, as well as focused masterclasses and training sessions at the hub.

 

A student and vocational training instructor describing their work to schoolchildren at the hub

 

There are currently 10 such locations in Ukraine, housed in vocational education institutions, where students can ‘try on’ different professions, discover their preferences, and ultimately make the right choice. These locations are based in six regions: Kyiv, Lviv, Chernihiv, Poltava, Odesa, and Ivano-Frankivsk. Following the piloting of the career guidance hubs, there will be even more.