LocationsPath to a Profession | Gennady: When Working the Land Becomes a Calling
September 30, 2026
Gennady Golovach's victory at the 6th National ProfSkills Belarus Competition was the result of several years of study and dedicated preparation. At just 19, he became Belarus' top vegetable grower and received the Inclusive Skills Special Award.
Behind this achievement is the story of a young man who grew up in residential care, has lived with a serious health condition since childhood, and found a profession he wants to dedicate his life to through vocational education.
A Profession Chosen by the Heart
Gennady's love of working the land began while he was studying at the Byalynichy Special Boarding School, where he helped care for greenhouses and the school vegetable garden.
"I enjoy working with the soil—planting, digging, watering and harvesting," he says.
When the time came to choose a profession, the decision felt natural. Gennady enrolled at the Mogilev State College of Economics and Industrial Technologies, which he knew as a place where every student is supported and encouraged to develop their strengths.
It was here that his interest gradually became a profession.
During his studies, Gennady learned modern vegetable production techniques, mastered planting schemes, seedling pricking, plant training, seed identification and other practical skills required by the profession.
"We learnt everything—from transplanting peppers correctly to tying tomato plants. It's rewarding because you can immediately see the results of your work," he says.
When Talent Meets Opportunity
Some time later, Gennady's teachers encouraged him to compete in ProfSkills Belarus, the country's premier vocational skills competition.
The 6th National ProfSkills Belarus Competition was supported through the project "Development of Youth Innovation Potential for Accelerated Sustainable Development of Belarus," implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Ministry of Education with financial support from the Russian Federation.
Before that, Gennady had never participated in a competition of this scale.
Preparing for the event took nearly two years. The first year focused on strengthening his theoretical knowledge, followed by a year of daily practical training.
"I trained every day for several hours. It wasn't easy, but I never missed a practice session," Gennady recalls.
His mentor, Raisa Grishchuk, quickly recognized that he possessed a rare combination of diligence and natural precision.
"Gennady has an excellent sense of proportion and remarkable accuracy in marking out planting layouts. He handles a measuring tape like an experienced professional. Most importantly, he works with exceptional care. You can immediately see it in the quality of his seedling work, planting and overall layout," she says.
Gennady with his teacher, Raisa Grishchuk.
Attention to detail, responsibility and precision are among the qualities most valued in today's skilled trades.
Building Confidence Under Pressure
The competition tested more than Gennady's technical skills.
He remembers being so nervous before the event that he barely slept for several nights. During the competition itself, the stress became overwhelming and he had to pause his work.
"I sat down, caught my breath and told myself I had to finish. I knew I could do it," he recalls.
He completed every task and scored 98.8 points out of 100, earning the gold medal in Vegetable Growing in both the national and international categories as well as the Inclusive Skills Special Award.
For Gennady, however, the competition brought something beyond medals – it confirmed that years of hard work had paid off.
"There Is Always Someone Here to Help"
Gennady has lived with severe atopic dermatitis since birth and has undergone several surgeries.
For him, appropriate learning conditions are essential to his education. Working with soil without protective clothing and equipment can trigger severe flare-ups of his condition.
The college took these needs into account. During practical classes, Gennady was provided with protective clothing and equipment. When medical treatment required hospitalization, he continued learning remotely.
"My teachers sent assignments by email. Between medical procedures, I studied so I wouldn't fall behind," he says.
According to Gennady, constant support from his teachers made it possible to keep up with his studies.
"If I don't understand something or I'm worried, there is always someone here to explain things and help."
A Curiosity to Learn and Grow
Gennady's interests extend well beyond vegetable growing.
He enjoys embroidery, ribbon flower making, knitting and creating decorative pieces from coffee beans. While still living at the boarding school, he sewed bed linen for a local hospital, earning his first income. Since the age of 17, he has also worked part-time as a supermarket cashier.
His teachers believe that this willingness to keep learning new skills is one of the defining qualities of today's professionals.
Upon graduation, Gennady earned dual qualifications as a vegetable grower and a landscaping worker. The dual qualification reflects the college's approach to equipping graduates with broader employment opportunities and greater resilience in the labor market.
But he already has another goal.
"My dream is to become an agronomist. After completing my mandatory work placement, I want to go to university and continue studying."
Creating equal opportunities for professional growth
Gennady's story illustrates the role that inclusive vocational education and professional skills competitions can play in a young person's life. They assess technical competence and also help identify talent that might otherwise remain unnoticed.
For Gennady, participating in ProfSkills provided an opportunity to demonstrate his abilities, gain recognition for his hard work and confirm that he had chosen the right profession. His success is the result of determination, perseverance and the support of teachers and mentors who recognized his potential and helped him develop it.
Asked what advice he would give to other young people who doubt themselves, Gennady answers without hesitation:
“The most important thing is to believe in yourself, keep learning, do your best and listen to your teachers. They are there to explain and guide you, but your success depends on your own efforts. If you keep going, you can achieve anything and continue growing .”