Flagship Project “Exemplary (Model) Vocational Education Institution”

Vocational education in culinary fields in Ukraine does not always keep pace with changes in the hospitality sector and the needs of employers. Educational content, training materials, teaching methodologies and the material and technical base of institutions require systemic modernization, while teachers need opportunities for continuous professional development and mastering modern production technologies.

At the same time, the problem is not limited to outdated programmes or a lack of equipment. Modernization often happens in a fragmented way: updated training programmes may not be accompanied by teacher training, new equipment may not lead to changes in approaches to practical training, and cooperation with employers does not always influence the content of training for future professionals. As a result, separate improvements do not form a sustainable system capable of regularly responding to labour market changes.

Vocational education institutions also lack tested mechanisms for assessing employer needs, engaging business in the development and implementation of programmes, developing short-term training for adults, and ensuring an inclusive educational environment. This limits their ability to train competitive professionals, support the professional adaptation of different population groups, and contribute to the human capital and economic development of regions.

This is why the project is not only about improving separate components, but about creating and practically testing a comprehensive model of a modern vocational education institution. This is an institution where infrastructure responds to current needs and challenges, training programmes are aligned with the labour market, training is practice-oriented, teachers have up-to-date competencies, the educational environment is modern and inclusive, and cooperation with business and local partners becomes a regular part of the institution’s work.

The Exemplary (Model) Vocational Education Institution is NGO “CULT FOOD”’s flagship initiative in the field of vocational education. The project is aimed not only at modernizing one institution, but also at creating a model that can be adapted for other regions of Ukraine in the future.

We aim to create a modern, innovative educational environment that trains highly qualified professionals with practical skills for the food, hospitality and agri-food sectors, ensuring their competitiveness and rapid adaptation to labour market needs, while contributing to human capital development, the regional economy and post-war economic recovery. This is a long-term transformation covering all key components of the institution’s work.

We see this institution as a leader in innovation and a benchmark vocational education institution at the national level, one that meets modern training standards and responds both to people’s needs for professional and personal development and to the needs of employers and the community for high-quality professional training. With a planned capacity of 800 students, the institution currently reaches only 280, which requires strategic solutions to make full use of its potential.

We are working to strengthen the institution’s full training capacity, modernize educational approaches, improve the alignment of professional training with labour market needs, and expand access to quality education.

The project is implemented based on Kyiv Professional Technological College. It will be open to young people, adults, internally displaced persons, people affected by the war, and everyone seeking new knowledge, a profession and employment opportunities.

The educational focus of the project covers two key areas: HoReCa and the agri-food sector. The initiative includes the development of long-term and short-term training programmes, updating educational materials, teacher training, launching practical courses, modernizing training laboratories and strengthening cooperation with employers.

In the long term, the institution is expected to operate as an autonomous, sustainable and modern educational institution: building partnerships, launching educational initiatives, generating its own income and supporting students on their path to employment.

Areas of Work to Achieve the Goal

1. Expanding the Educational Opportunities of the Institution

Overall goal of the area: to make the institution’s educational offers modern, accessible and aligned with the needs of students and the labour market in the restaurant, hospitality and agri-food sectors.

• Expanding areas and specialities.
• Modernizing and developing training programmes and materials.
• Expanding short-term programmes for adults and vulnerable groups.
• Professional development of teaching staff.
• Developing soft skills among vocational education students.
• Digitalization and digital transformation.
• Developing a marketing strategy to attract students.
• Inclusive approaches in education. Development of psychological support and a supportive environment.
• Integrating the principles of energy efficiency, resource conservation and green technologies into educational content.
• Improving career guidance and employment support.

2. Improving and Developing Infrastructure

Overall goal of the area: to create a safe, accessible, energy-efficient and modern educational space adapted for high-quality theoretical and practical training.

• Restoration of the institution after shelling.
• Repair of main structures.
• Energy efficiency and energy security.
• Arrangement and equipping of premises in line with training needs, including renovation and equipment.
• Infrastructure solutions to ensure inclusion at the institution.
• Landscaping and site safety.
• Development of the shelter as a safe dual-purpose environment.

The flagship project “Exemplary Vocational Education Institution” is implemented in stages and consists of several interconnected components: updating training programmes, training teachers, developing short-term training, modernizing infrastructure, strengthening the practical training base, and building a sustainable partnership model.

Important stages of this major journey have already been supported by our partners. Their contribution has helped launch the first key components of the transformation: selecting the base institution, preparing training materials, conducting teacher training, strengthening the material and technical base, and starting the implementation of short-term programmes. At the same time, this is only part of the planned work, as further infrastructure modernization, development of the educational model, expansion of partnerships and the full establishment of the Exemplary Vocational Education Institution as a modern learning space still lie ahead.

Project “School Chef’s Training Hubs and Culinary Institute Development” With the support of the Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine

This project supported one of the first stages in creating the Exemplary Vocational Education Institution. Within this support, potential institutions were assessed, the base for creating the model institution was selected, partnership arrangements with the city and Kyiv Professional Technological College were concluded, and initial documentation for infrastructure modernization was prepared.

Professional standards were also updated, training programmes and training materials for five professions were developed, and the first teacher trainings were conducted. This support helped lay the foundation for the further development of the flagship project.

The project page can be found here.

Project “An Exemplary Institution of Vocational Education” With the support of Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund

The project supported the development of the material and technical base and the launch of short-term training in the HoReCa sector. Within this support, equipment for the learning space was procured, 3 short-term programmes were developed, and a complete set of training materials was prepared for each of them.

Training for trainers was also conducted, enabling them to further deliver short-term programmes for training, retraining and further training of participants.

The project page can be found here.

Project “Equipment and Other Charitable Support for the Exemplary Vocational Education Institution” with the support of METRO Cash & Carry Ukraine LLC

This project supported the practical component of training. Thanks to METRO’s support, the institution received kitchen equipment, inventory, tableware and other materials necessary for high-quality practical training of culinary students.

This support became another important step in building a modern learning environment where students can practise professional skills.

The project page can be found here.

Experimental Project “Participatory Education Model” In cooperation with Kyiv City State Administration and Kyiv Professional Technological College

The project creates the organizational and methodological foundation for the development of the Exemplary Vocational Education Institution. Within the experiment, a model of cooperation between the education institution, the municipality, civil society and business is being developed.

The institution received the official status of an experimental institution, a Support Council for the experiment was established, and work began on the practical implementation of the participatory education model.

The project page can be found here.

Project “Institutional Support for NGO ‘CULT FOOD’” With the support of ISAR Ednannia

The project strengthens the organizational, analytical and management capacity of NGO “CULT FOOD”, which is necessary for the quality development of the flagship project.

Within this support, studies are being conducted that will later help inform decisions on inclusion, psychological support, workplace-based practical training and the development of short-term programmes at the Exemplary Vocational Education Institution. These studies will also be shared with other partners and the public.

The project page can be found here.