Ministry of Education Launches Project to Establish Supervisory Boards in Vocational Education

The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine has embarked on the implementation of a crucial project called 'Good Governance of Vocational Education Institutions through the Establishment of Effective Supervisory Boards' (GO VET). This initiative is being supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and aims to modernize the management of vocational education institutions in Ukraine.

According to the ministry's announcement, this initiative is part of a systemic reform of vocational education, which is aimed at adapting educational institutions to the needs of the modern labor market, particularly in the context of wartime and the post-war recovery of Ukraine. The project is being implemented in accordance with the provisions of the law 'On Vocational Education,' which provides for the introduction of a new governance model for vocational education institutions based on transparency, accountability, autonomy, and partnership with the business sector.

The establishment of supervisory boards is a vital step in decentralization and strengthening the institutional capacity of educational institutions. This approach aligns with European principles of human capital development and is consistent with key European Union policies in the field of skills and vocational education.

The project is set to last for 12 months and is being carried out in collaboration with the international organization Finn Church Aid. Within the framework of the project, assessments of needs and analyses of the regulatory framework for the functioning of supervisory boards are planned, as well as the piloting of the new governance model in 10-15 vocational education institutions.

Additionally, the formation of supervisory boards will involve representatives from business, communities, and government bodies. The project will also develop methodological recommendations and educational materials, create an online course for training supervisory board members, and devise a plan for implementing supervisory boards in vocational education institutions for the years 2026-2028. A significant aspect of this initiative is the introduction of a monitoring and evaluation system to assess the effectiveness of the supervisory boards.

The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine emphasized that special attention will be given to the development of public-private partnerships, enhancing the role of employers in shaping educational policy, and ensuring equal access to vocational education, particularly for women and vulnerable groups of the population.

It is worth noting that on September 6, 2024, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine launched an experimental project to strengthen the role of supervisory boards in three higher education institutions. Participants in the experiment included the National Aviation University (NAU), which has been reorganized into the Kyiv Aviation Institute, as well as Zaporizhzhia National University and Vasyl Stefanyk Carpathian National University. On June 18, 2025, the Cabinet included Odesa National Economic University as a participant in the experimental project, indicating the active implementation of new management models in higher education in Ukraine.