The European Union handed over ten units of agricultural machinery to Higher Vocational (VET) School #24 in Zastavna for the total amount of 800 thousand euros within the project "EU4Skills: Modernisation of Vocational Education and Training Infrastructure in Ukraine", implemented by the German Development Bank KfW via the Ukrainian Social Investment Fund. 

In addition to the large equipment (tractors, harvester, reapers, seed drills, trucks and an excavator), the VET school has also received four spare parts and three educational units for the modernisation of training for students in the following professions: "Tractor operator of agricultural (forestry) production", "Panel beater", "Locksmith for repair of wheeled vehicles", "Locksmith for repair of agricultural machinery and equipment."

Katarína Mathernová, Ambassador of the EU to Ukraine, participated in the handover ceremony of equipment at the Higher Vocational School #24 in the Chernivtsi region: "I am delighted to hand over such contemporary machinery to the vocational education school in Zastavna. Trained specialists who understand how the latest equipment works, its configuration, and maintenance are essential for Ukraine’s recovery. Agriculture is a key sector for the economic development of Ukraine and the EU will continue supporting the creation of the most favorable conditions for training professionals to meet the demands of the Ukrainian labor market.”

Ruslan Zaparanyuk, Head of the Chernivtsi Regional State Administration, highlighted: "The provision of modern equipment is not just an investment in material resources; it is an investment in the future of our youth, in the development of our regions, and the entire country. We sincerely thank the European Union for its continuous support and assistance, for the close partnership that helps our students acquire new knowledge and skills necessary for the development of modern agriculture.” 

Headmaster of Vocational School No. 24 Maryna Vasylyk expressed gratitude to partners for help and support: "Our educational institution's primary goal today is to train and prepare highly qualified specialists who are competitive in the modern labour market. The high-quality, state-of-the-art agricultural equipment we have received will greatly contribute to this. Therefore, I thank our partners and sponsors on behalf of the entire teaching and staff collective".  

Modernisation of education is also taking place in other VET schools. Thus, within the EU4Skills programme, 93 units of agricultural, road construction equipment, and sewing equipment were provided to institutions in the Poltava, Rivne, Chernivtsi, and Mykolaiv regions. Repair and construction works have been completed in two institutions, while six are still ongoing.

Background information: 

The EU-funded "EU4Skills: Modernisation of Vocational Education and Training Infrastructure in Ukraine" project is part of the "EU4Skills: Better Skills for Modern Ukraine" programme (Component 3) and aims to update and modernise the equipment and infrastructure of VET schools in Ukraine. The project aims to create a modern VET infrastructure, that contributes to increased attractiveness for students. The project works on laying the foundation for effective, demand-driven education that equips students with skills that the Ukrainian labour market seeks. On behalf of the European Union and the German Development Bank KfW, the project is implemented by the Ukrainian Social Investment Fund.