Skills4Recovery programme expands to support the development of Ukraine’s vocational education system in all regions of Ukraine
Over 150 participants met in Kyiv today for the second annual Skills4Recovery conference. This year’s conference marks a new phase for the programme, as Denmark has now joined the initiative in addition to Estonia, Germany, Poland and the EU.
The inclusion of a new partner has also increased the overall funding for the programme. This means that all regions of Ukraine will now benefit from further training for young people and adults, vocational education reforms and training for skilled workers.
Skills4Recovery was launched to provide training and re-training programmes for the Ukrainian labour force, specifically in sectors crucial for Ukraine’s reconstruction and European Union integration. The initiative strengthens vocational education and training (VET) providers, engages vulnerable groups and fosters cooperation with employers to ensure that people across Ukraine gain the skills they need to rebuild their lives and the country.
Today’s conference marked a new stage of the Initiative, as Denmark has now become a donor, joining forces with Germany, Poland, Estonia and the EU.
“By joining Skills4Recovery, Denmark brings its focus on building a well-functioning labour market so that more Ukrainians, including women, veterans and displaced people, can gain new skills, find decent jobs and shape the country’s European future. This commitment aligns with our broader vision of enhancing Ukraine’s resilience and strengthening the foundations for sustainable economic growth in Ukraine,” said Ole Egberg Mikkelsen, Denmark’s ambassador to Ukraine.
Estonia contributes €1 million to the Skills4Recovery total budget, which is now €14 million. Estonia’s contribution is financed by the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV). The Estonian NGO Mondo is implementing Estonia’s projects in Ukraine, which are focused on supporting the digitisation of the Ukrainian vocational education system and developing teachers’ digital competencies, addressing the needs of post-war reconstruction and the changing labour market.
“In a time when reconstruction demands new skills and adaptability, we see digital competencies as a foundation for future-ready education. By sharing Estonia’s long-standing experience in integrating digital solutions into teaching and learning, we want to empower Ukrainian educators to bring innovation into classrooms across the country. This is how we can support Ukraine not only in rebuilding today, but also in building a resilient and competitive European future,” said Kristi Kulu, ESTDEV’s programme manager for Education.
Despite the challenges of war, Skills4Recovery has already delivered significant results:
- More than 2,500 people have been retrained since 2024, with a target of 5,800 by 2026.
- Over 70 VET providers have been supported through training for teachers, managers and recruiters, strengthening institutional capacity and cooperation with employers, and 1,500 units of modern equipment to improve teaching and learning have been delivered.
- 100 HR departments in private companies have been trained on how to recruit and onboard women, ex-combatants and other vulnerable groups.
The initiative has also contributed to Ukraine’s policy reforms: it has supported the National Employment Strategy, upgraded the Education for Veterans platform (now offering 1,620 courses), trained 150 policymakers on EU-regulated occupations and established a sectoral education committee bringing together government, training providers and employers.
“For Ukraine, this support is of exceptional importance. The resources we receive from our partners are a sign of trust and confidence in our potential as a state. Through the joint efforts of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and Skills4Recovery, thousands of Ukrainians will have the opportunity to gain a new profession or improve their qualifications, and thus secure employment, rebuild their lives and contribute to the country’s recovery. It is an investment in people that has a direct impact on our shared European future,” said Oksen Lisovyi, Ukraine’s minister of Education and Science.
With increased donor support, Skills4Recovery will scale up nationwide to focus on developing the construction, agriculture, transport, and services and manufacturing sectors, while expanding inclusive employment opportunities for veterans, women, young people and displaced persons. It will also deepen cooperation with employers to ensure that training is demand-driven and support EU accession reforms so that Ukraine’s VET system is fully aligned with European standards.
“With Denmark now joining our European partners, Skills4Recovery enters a new stage. We are scaling up from strong beginnings to a nationwide effort that will touch every region of Ukraine. This expansion means more training providers supported, more teachers empowered, and thousands more people gaining the skills they need to rebuild their lives and the economy,” said Michael Paulo, the Skills4Recovery programme director at GIZ.
The programme is financed by the European Union, Germany, Poland, Estonia and Denmark, and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the Solidarity Fund PL (SFPL). It runs until June 2026.
Photo credit: Dmytro Holovchenko
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