DECIDE’s tenth career guidance hub opens in Odesa region

The tenth DECIDE modern career guidance hub has opened at the Pivnichnyi Professional College in Savran, Odesa region. This new type of space enables students in Grades 7–9 to learn about different professions and try out real, professional-level equipment.

The hub was created within the framework of an initiative to pilot a new career guidance system for students in Odesa region, in partnership with the DECIDE Project, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, and the Odesa Regional State Administration.

The newly created hub will help students to make informed choices about their future careers. Here, they will be able to explore their interests and abilities, gain a better understanding of which professions meet their expectations, and experience real-life working conditions in workshops, training laboratories and training spaces.

‘The Savranskyi Career Guidance Hub is the tenth hub that we have opened in Ukraine. It is essentially a showcase for vocational education, promoting blue-collar professions. Ukraine is currently at war and has suffered significant destruction. We all understand that rebuilding the country will be a task that takes more than one generation. The Savranskyi Hub offers a wide range of options, from culinary arts to wood carving, and every teenager can try their hand at these professions. We are implementing a career guidance system in Ukraine that includes creating hubs in vocational colleges and actively working with pupils in Grades 7–9. This approach has proven to be very successful. We have implemented the system in six regions, selecting nine partner communities. This year, as part of a national pilot programme jointly implemented with the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, we will be introducing the system in almost 400 communities. Our goal is for tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of Ukrainian children to have the opportunity to explore different professions and make an informed choice. We want them to build their future here, in their country and communities. That is why we are working with communities, schools, businesses, and educational institutions,’ said Valentyna Poltorak, DECIDE Project Manager.

The total budget for the project is UAH 6.33 million. Of this, UAH 4.1 million is financed by the DECIDE Project, UAH 1.08 million is co-financed by the Odesa Regional State Administration and UAH 1.15 million comes from the Pivnichnyi Centre for Vocational Education’s special fund.

‘Today, we are visiting an institution that demonstrates advanced approaches to vocational education, including training and practical centres, modern equipment and a new educational environment. These conditions encourage young people to consider blue-collar professions. We are well aware that many teenagers dream of becoming lawyers or managers. However, the country also needs people to work directly in production, such as technical specialists and skilled workers. Currently, there is a shortage of such specialists. It is precisely these career guidance hubs that help children to choose in-demand specialities for themselves, such as becoming a master craftsman, cook, or hairdresser. We are actively involved in the career guidance aspect of the DECIDE Project, in which 27 communities and 39 educational institutions are participating to help young people make informed choices about their future,’ added Anton Shalyhailo, Deputy Head of the Odesa Regional Military Administration.

As part of this project, 370 m² of premises were renovated, the façade was insulated, the roof was replaced, and new engineering networks, a fire safety system, and barrier-free access were installed. The space is equipped with modern technology, appliances, and furniture.

‘The system of vocational guidance and career counselling is currently undergoing rapid development in Ukraine. Recently, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine approved the concept of career counselling at all levels of education. This is why it is so important for us to open career guidance hubs – the first signs of change – in partnership with the DECIDE Project and Regional Military Administrations. We are delighted to be present at the opening of such a hub here in Savran. This is not just a modern educational space; it is a platform where children and young people can discover their talents, determine their area of development, and plan their career path,’ said Iryna Shumik, Director General of the Directorate of Vocational Education at the Ministry of Education and Science.

The hub comprises seven themed stations and a training area. These include a woodworking workshop incorporating programming elements, a sewing workshop, a beauty area, an administration and tourism area, a kitchen café, a greenhouse for growing greens with hydroponic installations, and a space for training sessions and masterclasses.

‘We want students to have the opportunity to explore different fields and discover their strengths while they are still at school. Thanks to the support of the DECIDE Project and regional authorities, as well as the efforts of our team, we have created an educational environment where children can learn through practice and see prospects for development in working professions. We sincerely believe that it is precisely these changes that encourage young people to stay in Ukraine, develop here, and build a strong community,’ concluded Yaroslava Zhyrun, Principal of Pivnichnyi Vocational College.

As part of the piloting of a partnership model between educational institutions, the regional military administration and the local government, as well as businesses, a new system of career guidance for children and young people in blue-collar professions is being developed in Savranska community:

• 3 educational institutions were covered: Savranskyi, Osychkivskyi, and Kontsebiivskyi lyceums;

• over 100 students completed the ‘JOBs’ course. During the implementation period, 9 career guidance events took place in Savranska community, including: 5 excursions to enterprises, 2 excursions to vocational education institutions and 2 visits to the Pivnichnyi Vocational College;

• almost 400 high school students took part in career guidance events.

The following companies have already become residents of the hub:  Baltic Sewing Factory, PJSC MHP, SFG PROGRES, Savran Agro-Industrial Complex LLC, PJSC World of Furniture – Ukraine, and PROGRESAGRO Farm.

Currently, ten such career guidance hubs are operating in Ukraine in six regions: Kyiv, Lviv, Chernihiv, Poltava, Odesa, and Ivano-Frankivsk!

We will continue to scale up this approach!

The DECIDE project is implemented by NGO DOCCU and PHZH International Projects in Education with the support of the Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine.

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