In Rivne, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with students of a professional college of restaurant and hotel business.
The institution was modernized and equipped with modern facilities under the program of the EU and EU member states supporting vocational education reform in our country, EU4Skills: Better Skills for a Modern Ukraine.
Overall, 40 training and practical centers are operating in the Rivne region, seven of which were established in 2025. These centers serve as professional hubs for training young people and retraining adults, including veterans.
During his conversation with the college students, the President stressed the importance of developing vocational education in Ukraine, noting that it offers a significant advantage as it provides clear direction for future career paths.
“Today, everything has changed; priorities are different. Of course, lawyers and marketers are needed, but there are too many of them. I am confident that the shortage is not there. Ukraine will undergo reconstruction, and all applied professions are very important for us,” the Head of State noted.
Students also raised the issue of increasing scholarships for vocational education students. The Ministry of Education and Science will work on possible solutions.
The President also spoke with business leaders who provide employment opportunities for the college’s graduates, particularly in the food service, restaurant, and hotel sectors. They discussed the importance of vocational education, its promotion, and training specialists for domestic industries.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that global hotel chains would enter Ukraine more actively once they see a sufficient number of qualified professionals.
“I believe this area is relevant even now, during the war. Many establishments are opening. People want to live, and that is the right thing. Our Armed Forces are defending our state for a reason – so that it can live and develop, above all economically,” the Head of State stressed.
Minister of Education and Science Oksen Lisovyi informed the President about the results of the vocational education reform, which has been implemented since 2024. According to him, the Law of Ukraine “On Vocational Education”, adopted in 2025, has expanded opportunities for cooperation between businesses and educational institutions in training specialists according to labor market needs.
One of the key directions of the reform is the development of educational infrastructure. Within the 100 Workshops project, implemented for the third consecutive year, more than 200 training workshops have been upgraded, and state investment in the modernization of vocational education has exceeded UAH 2 billion. Colleges receive subsidies for upgrading educational spaces, classrooms, and workshops. The vocational education reform is also supported by international partners.
