Since the beginning of 2024, 15,600 Ukrainians have already received a voucher for training at public expense and will be able to acquire a new profession or speciality or improve their professional level. This will allow them to become more competitive in the labour market. The state has already financed their education to the tune of UAH 114 million. This was announced by Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine Tetiana Berezhna.

“For many entrepreneurs, the primary problem today is the shortage of staff. At the same time, there are quite a few Ukrainians who cannot find a job due to insufficient qualifications or professional skills required by employers. We provide everyone with the opportunity to acquire a new speciality in demand in the labour market or to improve their professional level at public expense. All one needs to do is choose the profession they want to learn and apply to the State Employment Service for a training voucher. This year, more than 15,000 Ukrainians have already received such a voucher,” said Tetiana Berezhna.

Among the most popular specialities and professions studied with vouchers this year are: nursing (2,951 vouchers issued); psychology (1,861); pre-school education (778); medicine (420); cook (1,516); driver (1,148); tractor driver (542); confectioner (380).

Last year, more than 18,000 Ukrainians received education vouchers, with a total of UAH 252 million financed under the programme. In 2023, the largest number of vouchers were issued for the following professions and specialities: psychology, social work, education, medicine, construction and civil engineering, cook, and driver.

In total, the voucher can be used for training in 124 professions and specialities in IT, construction, transport, education, medicine, agriculture, social services, etc. The person chooses the profession, educational institution within Ukraine and the form of study (full-time, part-time or distance learning) independently. Training is provided by vocational (vocational-technical), professional pre-higher and higher education institutions, enterprises, institutions and organisations licensed for such educational activities.

The voucher entitles a person to receive free training in educational institutions or with an employer in a list of professions and specialities approved by the Ministry of Economy. As of today, the voucher amount cannot exceed UAH 30,280. If the cost of training is higher, the employer or the person pays the difference on their own.

Certain categories of citizens can receive a voucher if they have a vocational or higher education, are not registered as unemployed with the employment service and have not received training at the expense of the Mandatory State Unemployment Insurance Fund in the last 3 years. In particular, these are:

• people over the age of 45 (before the age of retirement);
• veterans, combatants;
• internally displaced persons of working age;
• persons with disabilities;
• people who have been injured as a result of military aggression or have been in captivity.