The vocational training landscape in Dnipro has received a significant upgrade with the opening of modern workshops at Vocational Technical School No. 2. This initiative aims to provide students with access to contemporary facilities and equipment, enhancing their educational experience in fields such as electrical engineering and machining.
Up to 200 individuals are expected to benefit from the new workshops over the course of a year. The program caters to students who have completed either the ninth or eleventh grade, as well as adults seeking to enhance their skills or acquire new qualifications through accelerated courses.
The modernization of these facilities has been largely funded by local industry stakeholders. In the machining workshop, for example, advanced machinery for turning, milling, drilling, sharpening, and grinding has been installed. This investment is anticipated to equip graduates of Vocational Technical School No. 2 with the necessary skills and understanding of their career prospects.
“Electricians and machinists are skilled workers who cannot be trained in just a month or two. Therefore, quality vocational education is extremely important, and we, as employers, are ready to invest in it as actively as we invest in our own production,” stated Serhiy Kostenko, Chairman of the Board at Interpipe NTZ.
The involvement of businesses in vocational education is a growing trend worldwide, and it is gradually being implemented in Ukraine with the support of the Ministry of Education. Dmitro Zavhorodny, Deputy Minister of Education, emphasized the importance of strengthening collaboration between vocational schools and businesses during the opening ceremony of the workshops.
According to Zavhorodny, Dnipro serves as an exemplary model of effective cooperation among businesses, local government, and vocational education institutions. This partnership benefits all parties involved: employers gain skilled workers, students receive modern knowledge and in-demand qualifications, and the college enhances its facilities and programs to better prepare specialists.
Interpipe’s efforts to enhance the technical education ecosystem in Dnipro extend beyond these workshops. Since 2019, the company has been modernizing educational facilities in schools, colleges, and universities across the city while adapting curricula. This initiative aims to create clear and accessible educational pathways for young people.
“We seek to engage youth during their middle school years, then create conditions for quality vocational or higher education, and finally welcome them into our facilities as qualified workers or engineers,” explained Lyudmyla Novak, Interpipe’s Communications Director.
Currently, Dnipro hosts 20 innovative educational locations, a feat made possible through collaboration with the city government, which has managed the renovation of the involved premises. Boris Filatov, the Mayor of Dnipro, highlighted the significance of this partnership, stating it exemplifies strategic thinking and effective collaboration between the state, local authorities, and responsible businesses.
“When we started this initiative, it was my idea to transform vocational education into a system that appeals to both students and employers. This is beneficial for the city, businesses, and educators, but most importantly, it is advantageous for the students,” Filatov emphasized.
The opening of modern workshops at Vocational Technical School No. 2 in Dnipro marks a significant advancement in vocational training, supported by local industry. This initiative aims to enhance educational quality and align training with market needs, benefiting students and employers alike.