Mykolaiv, 13 February 2026 — The Government of Denmark and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine have completed refurbishment work and the technical re-equipping of specialized workshops at three vocational education and training institutions in Mykolaiv Oblast.

The renewed workshops will serve as modern educational and practical spaces for training nearly 1,500 students on relevant technical specialities. In particular, the welding technologies workshop at the Voznesensk Vocational Lyceum has been upgraded, enabling future welders to master manual and semi-automatic welding with modern equipment. At the Pivdennoukrainsk Vocational College, a workshop has been equipped to train fitters on instrumentation and automation. In Mykolaiv, a robotics and Internet of Things technologies laboratory has been opened at Higher Vocational School 21 to provide hands-on training for specialists on automation and digital technologies.

The total cost of the refurbishment work and equipment was US$430,000. The comprehensive upgrades included repairing the premises, procuring furniture, and providing specialized equipment, instruments, and tools that were carefully selected to match the specific needs of each workshop. The modernized training and practical centres will ensure not only high-quality initial vocational education, but also short-term upskilling and reskilling courses for adults.

Jakob Torrild Hansen, Head of the Danish Embassy Office in Mykolaiv, highlighted the key role of vocational education in fostering the region’s long-term economic growth: “Recovery begins with people, which is why investing in vocational education and training is one of the most effective steps towards a resilient future. The renovated workshops in Mykolaiv Oblast will equip students with in-demand skills that will help them secure employment and actively contribute to local development. Denmark will continue to support initiatives that strengthen human capital and build a solid foundation for community advancement,” he stated.

Auke Lootsma, UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine, noted that upgrading education infrastructure is a strategic investment in community welfare: “Ensuring progress in Mykolaiv Oblast requires solutions that deliver lasting impact. By modernizing these workshops, we are creating the conditions for hands-on learning and strengthening the ability of education institutions to train the specialists needed for community recovery. Together with our partners, we work to ensure that education remains accessible, high-quality, and aligned with the real needs of the local economy,” he explained.

Media enquiries: 

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