Teaching students using modern equipment, showing schoolchildren the possibilities of vocational education, retraining adults, engaging businesses in education and increasing teachers’ salaries are all things that have been achieved at the Chernihiv Centre for Vocational and Technical Education, a municipal institution of the Chernihiv Regional Council. This has become possible thanks to the creation of a culinary career guidance hub.

There are already ten career guidance hubs in Ukraine in six regions: Kyiv, Lviv, Chernihiv, Poltava, Odesa, and Ivano-Frankivsk. After the pilot phase, more hubs will be opened.

‘In order to change vocational education, not only are resources needed, but inspiration too. This hub is an example of how effective consolidation with partners can be. It is important for the principals of other educational institutions to see these transformations with their own eyes, to feel inspired and to understand that working together really does produce results,’ says Yurii Muzyka, Head of the Department of Education and Science of the Chernihiv Regional State Administration.

The hub was created as part of efforts to support reforms in vocational education and school nutrition, in partnership with the Swiss-Ukrainian DECIDE Project, the Chernihiv Regional State Administration, and the city council. Switzerland has invested over UAH 5.8 million in the project.

‘Simply analysing students’ interests in class and watching videos about different professions is not enough. We create spaces where teenagers can experience professions first-hand. This is all done in partnership with vocational school students and business professionals who have already chosen this career path. Today, we have over 110 business residents in ten hubs who will conduct masterclasses and introduce new professions “first-hand”,’ explains Valentyna Poltorak, DECIDE Project Manager.

From an old kitchen to a modern space

The Chernihiv Centre has 377 students training to become chefs, confectioners, waiters, bartenders, food and non-food salespeople, dough makers, bakers and chefs for educational institutions, as well as specialists in children’s nutrition. Previously, the facility was just a standard kitchen laboratory with blue tiles and old stoves.

 

Before and after renovation

 

‘When the old tiles were removed, I felt my heart sink. I was afraid of change. Now, however, we have a black ceiling, orange walls and shiny metal equipment, and everything looks beautiful. And it is not just about the aesthetics,’ says Nataliia Potiekhina, Director of the Chernihiv Centre for Vocational and Technical Education.

Naturally, there were some challenges. The project involved a large 220-volt mixer. However, when the equipment was delivered, it became clear that 380 volts were required instead. The solution was to lay an electrical cable from the other side of the corridor. Installing the sewage system was also difficult – it had to have a 45-degree slope, but the existing slope was 90 degrees, so this was impossible to achieve. An additional system had to be installed to connect to the main sewerage system.

‘The tables were delivered, we set them up and realised that the sink should be on the right, but here it was on the left, and there were sockets installed above them. So we returned the goods to the supplier and ordered new equipment,’ says Nataliia Potiekhina.

The renovation took place between March and June 2025. DECIDE team, teachers, deputies and vocational training instructors joined forces to clean up rubbish, wash, wipe and put everything in order. Thus, the 70 m² space was transformed into a modern culinary studio equipped with a combi steamer, culinary system, electric stove, dishwasher, vegetable cutter, dough mixer, refrigerators, blast freezer, blender, and marmites for preparing starters and main courses, as well as a professional electric meat grinder and cutter.

 

Photo from Olena Zelenska’s post

 

‘All these items and functional mini-spaces are extremely important for the culinary field. In a modern changing room, each student has two lockers: one for special clothing and one for personal belongings. They should not be mixed up. And to turn on the water in the sink, they have to press with their knee – this way, they can start cooking without unnecessary contact. Even our local businessman, who has an extensive network of establishments, admitted that he had only seen sterilisers for eggs and knives in pictures,’ explains Nataliia Potiekhina.

 

In the culinary hub

 

The inventory room stores all the necessary kitchen equipment for use at the hub. In the tasting room, dishes prepared at the hub are discussed and tasted, for example during exams.

‘Working on this project and cooperating with DECIDE has taught us to believe in our own strengths above all else. Now, it seems that the team has woken up. The hub gives us the opportunity to take our minds off everything that is happening around us. After all, when work is interesting, there is no time to think about anything else,’ says Olena Pyshchyk, Deputy Director for Training and Production.

Work is buzzing

With the support of DECIDE, not only the premises were renovated, but also the approaches to training. For example, a development strategy for the educational institution until 2027 was drafted. Five master chefs underwent training and became trainers, who have already retrained 75 chefs in Chernihiv region, most of whom work in kindergartens and schools.

Among the trainers is Svitlana Krutko, a teacher of professional and theoretical training and a master of industrial training, who is a graduate of this educational institution. Her daughter also works here. She studied in Boryspil and had the opportunity to work with renowned chefs, mentors, and specialists.

 

During the training for trainers

 

‘We are now sharing with our colleagues the best practices we learned in Lviv and Boryspil. It is very valuable to share experiences and see how others develop,’ says Svitlana.

 

Svitlana Krutko with her student

 

In November, two more groups will be recruited – 50 chefs for children’s and school nutrition in educational institutions. Communities pay for retraining, so vocational schools have additional income and can increase teachers’ salaries. They also teach using 45+ vouchers, and use the proceeds to purchase additional equipment for the educational institution.

The culinary hub has already held career guidance events for schoolchildren from Chernihiv. Split into several groups, 120 pupils in Grades 5–9 learned how to make pasta and decorate with mastic under the guidance of vocational training masters and students.

‘The schoolchildren said it was interesting and delicious. Last year, we had culinary battles between students from different schools – making bruschetta, smoothies and desserts. Some even said afterwards that they would like to study here,’ says Victoriia Potiekhina, a second-year student.

Teachers say that the children's eyes were shining – they found it interesting just to touch the new equipment. The vocational students also said that working with the schoolchildren was a useful experience for them:

‘For example, I love to improve my leadership skills. So it was very exciting to guide and help my team,’ says Sofiia Maiboroda, a graduate of the Chernihiv Centre for Vocational and Technical Education, who is now studying food technology at university.

 

Schoolgirls at a vocational school during a career guidance event

 

This kind of career guidance work is planned to continue. However, there are some challenges at the moment – almost all schoolchildren in Chernihiv are studying online due to the challenging security situation in the city, 14-hour alerts and blackouts.

 

Schoolchildren in the vocational school during a career guidance event

 

‘We had to finish the latest careers guidance event in the bomb shelter. We moved everything, including the equipment and food. Hopefully, the security situation will improve and we will be able to work at full capacity,’ says Nataliia Potiekhina.

However, the vocational school came up with a creative solution to this problem. They created a feature called Try it with us, for which students and vocational teachers film detailed videos in the culinary hub demonstrating how to prepare certain dishes, which they then post on social media.

Besides, the culinary hub hosts regular practical lessons on various topics for students of the educational institution.

In the culinary hub

 

‘The culinary hub opened at the school when I was in my third year. I have something to compare it to. What I like most is the modern atmosphere in the hub, as well as the combi steamer, which can be used to bake cake layers, meat dishes and potatoes at the same time. The smells and flavours don’t mix. It takes very little time, so all the necessary nutrients and vitamins are preserved,’ says Sofiia Maiboroda.

Residents of the hub and agreements with them

According to a 2024 study by the European Business Association, 74% of the companies surveyed are experiencing staff shortages.

‘This is caused by more global problems – primarily the war, which has led to migration from Ukraine, and the problem of employment. These are challenges that the career guidance system addresses. In many countries around the world, especially those with developed industries, it works in close cooperation with education, authorities and business. In Ukraine, there have already been numerous attempts to create an institute of career counselors or to establish cooperation between vocational schools and businesses, but this is the first time that the Government is looking at this issue holistically and is ready to engage everyone in the process: schools, local authorities, and businesses,’ says Valentyna Poltorak.

Vocational schools with career guidance hubs have already signed memoranda with interested businesses, whose representatives will conduct various master classes, training sessions, and other activities for school-age children to spark their interest in various professions.

In Chernihiv, 11 business residents have already joined the cooperation, including the Chernihiv chain of pizzerias/restaurants and catering operator Bazis and the private catering company Avelina. Dual education is being implemented with them.

Meanwhile, chef and graduate of this vocational school Viacheslav Papkov is already planning a masterclass with a foreign chef at the hub.

‘This is an investment in our future. We already know how to work with modern technology, so we won’t need retraining after graduation,’ adds student Viktoriia Potiekhina.

Space that inspires

The hub has become more than just a place of learning; it is also a source of inspiration for colleagues. During a meeting of vocational education institution managers from the regional section, they baked pizza, prepared blancmange and chopped and decorated salad themselves.

 

Principals of Chernihiv vocational education institutions at the culinary hub, with Svitlana Krutko

 

‘Their eyes were shining like children’s. Everyone realised that being a chef requires tension and concentration, even with the most modern equipment. In the end, they all agreed that they needed to apply for projects and update their equipment, and that all establishments should have such facilities,’ says Olena Pyshchyk.

Vocational schools rightly believe that this is also good career guidance. The hub also helps to attract prospective applicants.

‘It is often harder to change parents’ minds than children’s. The girl had doubts about studying with us. So, when she and her mother came to visit, I showed them around the culinary hub. Her mother asked, “Do you only take children, or can mothers join too? I’ll tell my friends about this.” The girl ended up enrolling with us,’ recalls Deputy Director.

The staff of the vocational school also say that many people were able to visit the educational institution for the first time thanks to the various events held there.

‘Vocational education is often stigmatised as boring. But when people come and visit our classrooms and see our equipment, they often say, “Wait, is this really vocational education?” If every child had the opportunity to try out different professions and experience them first-hand, it would make the choice easier. This space really works for every child who comes to the hub,’ concludes Nataliia Potiekhina.

Today, approximately 20% of children who have finished grade 9 enrol in vocational schools, while 15% choose institutions of pre-higher professional education. That is only 35%. The rest of the children choose higher education. Meanwhile, approximately 65 to 75% of students in Switzerland choose vocational education every year.

‘Switzerland is one of the world's most successful countries when it comes to vocational education. The secret to its success lies in the dual education model, which allows students to study and work in their chosen profession simultaneously. However, this does not prevent further university admission. Ukraine has a different vocational education system that is crucial for economic development. We are delighted to contribute to this important strategic reform in Ukraine. Reconstruction is taking place thanks to skilled workers. We support cooperation between government, education and business, and believe that systematic career guidance will encourage more young people to attend vocational schools,’ says Jean-Luc Bernasconi, Head of Cooperation at the Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine.

Ukraine is interested in increasing the percentage of applicants to at least 45. And most importantly, it wants young people to choose professions that are in demand on the labour market.

Headline photo: Olena Zelenska’s post

Mariia Buleiko (Markovska)