Kyiv, 8 April 2024 — The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine, with financial support from the governments of Denmark and Poland, organized a new series of three-week vocational courses to re-skill the adult population in Mykolaiv Oblast. The four professions were selected to meet local employers’ needs.

The training was conducted at vocational institutions, which meant courses could be held for laboratory technicians in chemical and bacteriological analysis in Arbuzynka, thanks to the generous support from the Government of Denmark. Subsequently, with financial assistance from the Government of Poland, students were trained in the following professions: lighting electrician (Mykolaiv), junior patient care nurse (Mykolaiv), and fruit and vegetable grower (Andriivka).

The three-week courses included theoretical and practical training, for which UNDP and partners purchased essential equipment and consumables. These include specialized equipment for laboratory technicians and seed materials for fruit and vegetable growers. It is worth noting that an average of 78 percent of trainees are already working in the professions they trained in.

Ole Egberg Mikkelsen, Ambassador of Denmark to Ukraine, said: “Having a steady job is a pre-requisite for a sustainable life at home, and a chance to contribute to post-war restoration. Therefore, Denmark is happy to support the re-training courses that will enable the residents of Mykolaiv Oblast regain their positions on the job market, ensuring their input into Ukraine’s resilience.”

Jaco Cilliers, UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine, said that previous positive experience of conducting short-term courses confirms the relevance of this format for re-skilling and employment. “Thanks to the generous support of our partners and systematic cooperation with local employers and educational institutions, UNDP is successfully arranging training in relevant professions,” he said. “The participant employment rates of 67 to 100 percent reflect the strong demand for this activity. UNDP’s ongoing efforts are intended to foster revitalization of the war-torn communities in Ukraine by all possible means.”

Background

On 1 April 2024, courses for female tractor drivers began at the Snihuriv Lyceum in Mykolaiv Oblast. This is a new format of theoretical and practical training, which will last six months. Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, UNDP, in collaboration with international partners, has been facilitating the re-skilling of adults across various oblasts of Ukraine. To date, over 1,000 people have acquired new skills that are in high demand in the labour market.

Media enquiries: Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Head of Communications; e-mail: yuliia.samus@undp.org