LocationsPath to a Profession | Vladislav: From First Skills to Mastering the Art of Creating Green Spaces
September 24, 2026
Students at the Mogilev State College of Economics and Industrial Technologies come from different backgrounds. Some are eager to take the lead from the very first day, and their success seems almost inevitable.
When Vladislav Fedorovich enrolled at the college, he was not aiming to win competitions or stand on a podium. His plans were much simpler: to learn a profession, acquire new skills and confidently begin his independent life.
A year later, he was standing on the main stage of ProfSkills Belarus, where his name was announced twice: first as the gold medal winner of the national competition, and then as the international champion. His story is not about loud ambitions, but about a quiet strength that was recognized, supported and nurtured.
From a habit of hard work to professional excellence
Vladislav grew up in the village of Kupyoly in the Shklov district. As the eldest child in a large family, he learned responsibility and the value of hard work from an early age. He helped his parents around the household, watched his father work as a machine operator and his mother work on a farm.
He had already obtained his first qualification as a plasterer and painter. However, his parents encouraged him not to stop there.
“My parents told me: having one profession is good, but while you are young, it is better to continue learning,” Vladislav recalls.
He chose a field that was close to his own experience and background — landscaping and green space management.
“It is a person who takes care of plants, looks after them and tries to create something that is pleasant not only for themselves, but also for others.”
Today, these skills are becoming increasingly important. Specialists in landscaping and green space management help create comfortable urban environments and spaces where people want to live.
Behind the gold medal: how mentorship helped Vladislav unlock his potential
Vladislav’s potential was recognized by his college teachers. Not because he was the most outspoken or eager to be in the spotlight, but because of his dedication, responsibility and the quality of his work.
“Vlad is a very modest person. He did not immediately show his talents. Someone had to notice them and see his potential,” says his mentor Kristina Svinogon.
It was his teachers, Kristina Svinogon and Natalia Shutova, who encouraged him to test his skills in a professional excellence competition.
For Vladislav, this was a real challenge.
“I felt uncomfortable, even embarrassed, that everyone was watching me and evaluating my work,” he says.
To help him prepare not only professionally but also psychologically, his mentors created training conditions that closely reflected the competition environment. They invited observers, simulated evaluation situations and helped him gradually become comfortable with responsibility and public performance.
Step by step, uncertainty was replaced by confidence.
At the competition, Vladislav was able to draw on all his previous experience. His first qualification as a plasterer and painter became an unexpected advantage: it taught him to interpret designs accurately, follow technical requirements and work with precision down to the smallest detail. While other participants were still studying the task, Vladislav was already envisioning how to bring it to life.
He still remembers the moment of the award ceremony at ProfSkills Belarus - Inclusive skills:
“They announced third place — it wasn’t me. Second place — also not me. My heart was racing. And then they announced my name. I went up on stage thinking that was the end of the story. But then they announced the international result — and it was me again. I was completely shocked.”
For Vladislav, this victory was a professional achievement and proof that he was capable of more than he had imagined.
Two Professions in One Diploma: An Educational Strategy for Success
Vladislav’s story reflects one of the important trends in modern vocational education: moving from narrow professional training towards developing a broader set of skills and competencies. The opportunity to acquire additional qualifications helps young people become more adaptable in the labor market and more confident in planning their future careers.
“We combine professions so that students have more choices and better employment opportunities,” explains Kristina Svinogon. “If a person realizes that one profession is not the right fit, they still have another pathway.”
Vladislav with his teacher, Kristina Svinogon.
For Vladislav, this means more options for the future. He can work in landscaping and urban beautification or apply the skills he gained from his first profession.
Creating such opportunities for young people is one of the objectives of the project “Developing youth innovation potential for Accelerated Sustainable Development in Belarus”, implemented by UNDP in Belarus in partnership with the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus with financial support from the Russian Federation.
“Slow and Steady Wins the Race”: A Champion’s Philosophy
After graduating from college in 2025, Vladislav now works at Zelenstroy, where he completed his practical training and became familiar with the team. His next steps are simple: continue developing, improve his skills and build his own future.
His life philosophy remains straightforward:
“Slow and steady wins the race.”
Vladislav’s story shows that professional success does not always begin with ambitious plans or a desire to be in the spotlight. Sometimes it starts with a commitment to doing one’s work well, the support of dedicated mentors and access to education and skills that open new opportunities.
He came to college to learn a profession. Through his dedication, the support of his teachers and the opportunities provided by modern vocational education, he became a champion.