Skills Alliance for Ukraine

Challenge and goal:

According to the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine and the ILO, Ukraine will need 8.6 million additional skilled workers by 2032. Displacement, demographic change, and destruction of educational institutions are root causes for the shortage of skilled workers. Therefore, in the focus area of “Upskilling and Vocational Training”, the Skills Alliance members exchange on labour market needs to address the skills mismatch, update each other on vocational education and training programmes and innovative approaches as well as potential sources of funding. 

Deliverables:

• Mapping of continuing education and vocational training programs;
• Identification of current funding opportunities and creation of a strategic plan to secure further resources;
• Assessment of labour market demand in key sectors for Ukraine’s reconstruction.

Challenge and goal:

To address the severe shortage of skilled labour in Ukraine effectively, vocational training and labour markets must be inclusive for all potential target groups, including women, veterans, IDPs and people with disabilities. Therefore, in the focus area of “Addressing Special Needs and Ensuring Inclusion of Vulnerable Groups”, the Skills Alliance members assess the availability and demand for training for target groups, support the matching of vulnerable groups with existing opportunities, developed and disseminate recommendations to promote inclusive training and employment.

Deliverables:

• Assessment of the availability and demand for education and training programmes tailored to the needs of vulnerable groups;
• Support in matching vulnerable groups with existing upskilling and training opportunities in Ukraine;
• Development of recommendations to promote inclusion in education and employment, in alignment with Ukraine’s employment strategy, the Vocational Education Act, and other relevant policies.

Challenge and goal:

Failing to invest in displaced persons is not an option given the prolonged displacement. The challenge is to qualify displaced people for life and work in host countries while also preparing them for a potential future return to Ukraine (dual intent). Mutual recognition of qualifications is key for mobility of displaced people but still restricted by multiple barriers, diverse, unclear and fragmented processes. Therefore, in the focus area of “Vocational Training in Host Countries and Mutual Recognition of Qualifications”, the Skills Alliance members assess qualifications not yet recognised in Ukraine and vice versa, discuss how to increase in bilateral agreements and other means of mutual recognition and operationalise the dual intent approach for training in host countries while also exchanging on vocational training abroad in recovery-relevant sectors. 

Deliverables:

• Assessment of qualifications from EU member states and other countries that are not yet recognised in Ukraine, and vice versa;
• Expansion of bilateral agreements and other mechanisms for mutual recognition;
• Operationalisation of the dual intent concept for vocational training in host countries;
• Mapping of vocational training opportunities abroad for Ukrainians in sectors relevant to Ukraine’s reconstruction.