KHARKIV OBLAST, Ukraine, 19 May 2026 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine, with funding from the Government of Japan, has completed the restoration and modernisation of learning spaces at two vocational education institutions in Kharkiv Oblast that were damaged during the full-scale war.

The initiative aims to strengthen vocational education and training, preparing skilled professionals in high-demand occupations that are essential for the recovery of the economy and infrastructure of Kharkiv Oblast and Ukraine as a whole.

Renovation and restoration works were carried out at both institutions. The buildings’ engineering systems were upgraded, and modern furniture, IT equipment, and professional training tools aligned with current labour market needs were provided.

A new “Rail Lab” training facility to support the training of passenger railcar attendants was established at the Regional Centre for Vocational Education in Railway Transport and Agricultural Services in Liubotyn. The laboratory features a full-scale passenger compartment model, allowing students to practice hands-on skills in conditions closely resembling real working environments. More than 150 students are currently enrolled in this specialty, which remains critically important during wartime for ensuring civilian mobility and supporting evacuation efforts.

At the Lozova Vocational Education Centre, where 124 students are currently enrolled, workshops for training plasterers, tilers, and cooks were modernized. These professions are particularly important in the context of recovery efforts, and the institution already combines classroom learning with practical experience: students in construction-related programmes participate in shelter construction and community recovery work, applying their skills in real-life settings.

Christophoros Politis, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Ukraine, emphasized the importance of supporting recovery of Kharkiv Oblast as a priority for the organization. “UNDP provides systematic support to Kharkiv Oblast across multiple areas of recovery – from supplying energy equipment and restoring essential services to humanitarian mine action and local economic recovery,” Politis said. “But true resilience and long-term recovery start with people. That is why we invest in vocational education – to ensure that young people and adults have access to modern learning, practical skills, and opportunities to build their future within their own communities.”

Oleh Syniehubov, Head of the Kharkiv Oblast State Administration, highlighted the critical needs of education institutions in the oblast. “Vocational education institutions in Kharkiv Region continue to operate despite the constant challenges of war – damage, security risks, and forced changes to learning formats,” Syniehubov said. “At the same time, for many professions, hands-on practical training is an irreplaceable part of the educational process. We are grateful to UNDP and the Government of Japan for supporting vocational education in Kharkiv Oblast and creating opportunities for young people in fields that are critically important for the oblast’s recovery and development.”

Background:

With support from the Government of Japan, UNDP has been systematically strengthening vocational education in Ukraine as part of broader efforts to enhance human capital and support economic recovery. To date, 18 vocational education institutions across the country have received support for modernising their facilities and upgrading training equipment. In addition, retraining programmes ranging in duration from one to six months have been introduced across 17 in-demand professions. More than 685 people have already completed this training, with 492 securing employment in their newly acquired professions.

Recently, UNDP and Japan also opened modernised training centres for specialists in the maritime, logistics, and agricultural sectors in Odesa Oblast.

Media enquiries:

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