The Second Regional Training and Practical Conference “Business Skills for Economic Growth” was recently held in Lviv.
The event brought together about 120 participants from vocational education institutions, government agencies, and successful Ukrainian entrepreneurs from Lviv, Chernivtsi, and Vinnytsia regions. The event was part of a training program for 20 vocational education institutions from 6 regions. In particular, in Lviv region, the initiative was joined by Zolochiv Vocational Lyceum, Higher Vocational School No. 29 in Lviv. Lviv, Lviv Higher Vocational School of Trade and Services, and Novoyavoriv Higher Vocational School.
The participants were presented with the project “Business Skills for Economic Growth: Training Courses for Students, Vocational Education Teachers and Start-Up Entrepreneurs”, which is being implemented as part of the Vocational Education in Ukraine / Skills4Recovery program implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). The project is aimed at supporting and developing entrepreneurial skills among young people and adults.
The event was attended by various stakeholders to discuss best practices in entrepreneurship education, public-private partnerships, and business support systems. Victoria Dzhus, Head of the Department for Interaction with Social Partners and Regional Executive Authorities at the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, welcomed the participants: “Enterprises are the main drivers in the modern world. Vocational education plays an important role in rebuilding Ukraine’s economy. I hope we will train new personnel to meet the needs of business and realize the potential of young people.”
Viktoriia Balyuta, Vocational Education in Ukraine / Skills4Recovery Program Implementation Advisor, said: “The main focus of our Vocational Education in Ukraine / Skills4Recovery Program is to strengthen the supply of skilled labor to the market for Ukraine’s recovery. One of the ways to realize this goal is to develop entrepreneurship in 4 sectors that are important for the economic recovery of Ukraine: logistics, services, construction and agriculture. Entrepreneurship is a key element of the economy. Small and medium-sized businesses will be a key element in economic recovery.”
Vira Druhova, program manager at Junior Achievement Ukraine, shared the best international practices of teaching entrepreneurship and the state of development of business competencies in vocational and vocational education institutions. “According to the European Commission, a training company is one of the best methods of educating an entrepreneurial young generation. This approach is the basis of the Company entrepreneurship program by Junior Achievement. Students are organized into groups to create their own mini-companies and go through the full cycle of entrepreneurial activity during the school year – from generating a business idea to its practical implementation. In addition, they develop their flexible skills. And, according to a survey of the program participants, most of them note that this year they have significantly developed their skills in self-presentation, time management, communication and teamwork,” said Vira Druhova.
“Youth entrepreneurship is very important. After all, we want to educate not just professional workers who will perform tasks as instructed, but the younger generation of Ukrainians who will later build their own teams and companies. Therefore, they will need financial literacy and other skills. So let’s work together fruitfully,” Oleksandr Kulepin, Deputy Head of the Lviv Regional Audit Office, addressed the participants.
“The education system lacks this spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship. This is what finally rebuilds education 30 years after the declaration of Independence. With the new approach, we will allow students to show their talents and creative thinking, and then they will be able to develop their own business. Yes, it is a great responsibility, it is emotional, because they will put their hearts and souls into their business. But this will be the generation of a new Ukraine. And we are very grateful to our partners for their assistance in development and fruitful cooperation,” added Oleh Paska, Director of the Education and Science Department of the Lviv Regional State Administration.
The first Regional Training and Practical Conference “Business Skills for Economic Growth” was held in January 2024 in Kyiv, bringing together 80 participants from Kyiv, Dnipro, and Poltava regions. The next stage of the Business Skills for Economic Growth project includes trainings for teachers from participating educational institutions, Entrepreneurship Camps for students, and registration of training mini-companies.