School Chef’s Training Hubs and Culinary Institute Development
The first stage in creating a model vocational education institution based on Kyiv Professional Technological College, with a focus on long-term programmes.
Status: Completed
Implementation DateAugust 2024 - July 2025
Project Focus Areas:Vocational education and training
Partner
Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine
Vocational education and training in culinary fields in Ukraine does not yet fully meet the current requirements of the labour market. Curricula and training materials need to be updated, teachers need opportunities for professional development, and vocational education institutions need stronger cooperation with employers.
High-quality training for chefs, pastry chefs, restaurant service specialists and hospitality service specialists requires more than revising individual programmes. It requires a comprehensive model of a modern vocational education institution that is practice-oriented, open to partnerships with business and able to respond quickly to changes in the hospitality sector.
Ukraine is reforming its vocational education system to address the mismatch between the training of skilled professionals and the needs of individuals, employers, the economy and society. This direction is reflected in the Concept for the Implementation of State Policy in the Field of Vocational Education and Training “Modern Vocational Education and Training” for the period up to 2027.
However, regulatory changes alone are not enough to implement the reform. Practical models tested in real settings are needed to help vocational education institutions train in-demand professionals, while enabling regions to strengthen their human capital and develop local economies.
Project Goal
To partially implement the first and second stages of creating and launching a model vocational education institution. The project aimed to modernize vocational education and training, update educational content and train professionals with skills relevant to the needs of the modern labour market.
Within the project, NGO “CULT FOOD” worked on the systemic modernization of vocational education and training in culinary fields. The work included updating professional standards, developing curricula and training materials, disseminating digital materials to vocational education institutions across Ukraine, and preparing teachers to implement the updated educational content.
A separate area of work focused on preparing the creation of a model vocational education institution. Potential institutions were assessed, the site for the model institution was selected, management models were developed, design and estimate documentation for infrastructure modernization was prepared, and the foundation was laid for the further development of the institution through cooperation between civil society and the city.
- Three professional standards were updated: Chef, Restaurant Service Specialist, and Hospitality Service Specialist.
- Curricula and training materials were developed for the following professions: Chef, Pastry Chef, School Chef, Restaurant Service Specialist, and Hospitality Service Specialist.
- Five educational manuals were prepared, digitised and distributed to 544 vocational education institutions across Ukraine.
- A set of management models for the model vocational education institution was developed, including a personnel system, organizational structure, business processes and financing approaches.
- An online information session on challenges in vocational education and training was held for 220 participants.
- A media campaign was implemented to increase the visibility of the initiative: 61 materials were published on Facebook, Instagram, Telegram and Viber, with a total reach of 1,674,990 people.
- Three vocational education institutions were assessed, and the site for the creation of the model vocational education institution was selected.
- A memorandum was signed with the Mayor of Kyiv, as well as an agreement with Kyiv Professional Technological College on cooperation to create the model institution based on the college.
- The project was included in the official education development documents of the city of Kyiv and in the 2025–2030 municipal experimental project “Participatory Education Model: Cooperation between Civil Society and the Municipality”.
- A technical assessment of the institution was conducted, and design and estimate documentation for infrastructure modernization was prepared.
- A comprehensive professional development programme for teachers was implemented: 15 online sessions for 265 teachers from across Ukraine and in-person practical trainings in selected profiles for 45 teachers.
- Mentoring support was provided to teachers, including task analysis and individual consultations to address knowledge and skills gaps.
- A group of trained teachers was formed, ready to implement the updated educational content for five professions.
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