Modern career guidance hub created in Ivano-Frankivsk with support from DECIDE project!

With the support of the DECIDE project, a modern career guidance hub has been established at Vocational 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 creation of hubs is part of a broader initiative to pilot a new career support system for students in the Ivano-Frankivsk region in partnership with the DECIDE project, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, and the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional State Administration.

As part of the project, the renovation of a 98-square-metre space including a hall, corridors, bathrooms and staircases was completed. The space is now equipped with modern technology and comfortable furniture.

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

• a hairdresser-stylist;

• a hairdresser-makeup artist;

• a dressmaker;

• a tailor;

• an embroiderer;

• an 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.

‘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.

The total budget for the project was UAH 4.4 million, of which UAH 3.9 million was financed by the DECIDE project and UAH 497,000 was co-financed by the Vocational Training Centre No. 1 in Ivano-Frankivsk.

The DECIDE: VET programme in the Ivano-Frankivsk community:

• Engaged two education institutions: Uhornyky lyceum of Ivano-Frankivsk City Council and Mykytyntsi lyceum of Ivano-Frankivsk City Council.

• The career guidance team comprises: a career guidance coordinator, a career guidance hub coordinator, and four teaching staff members who implemented a system to support students in choosing careers in pilot schools.

• 100 students completed the JOBs course.

During the implementation period, seven career guidance events were held in the Ivano-Frankivsk community, including:

• 5 excursions to enterprises.

• 2 educational events.

The following businesses have already become residents of the hub: Flamingo Hair Salon, Vyshyvanochka TM, Gentlemens Club Barbershop, Tavita Uspikh, and entrepreneur Nataliia Fedoriv.

There are currently 10 career guidance hubs operating in six regions of Ukraine: Kyiv, Lviv, Chernihiv, Poltava, Odesa, and Ivano-Frankivsk!

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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