The Republic of Korea invests in rebuilding a VET college in Kyiv region: preparatory works begin
Today, April 29, preparatory works have begun as part of the reconstruction of the Municipal Institution of Vocational Education of the Kyiv Regional Council “Vasylkiv VET College” in the Kyiv region. The project is being implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, with financial support from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) acting as the implementing partner.
To mark the occasion, an event was held with the participation of the Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine, Oksen Lisovyi; the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Korea to Ukraine, Park Ki-chang; as well as representatives of local authorities, local self-government bodies, and partner organizations.
The previous college building was destroyed by russian missile strike in February 2022 and could not be restored. However, thanks to the support of partners, the preparatory phase for constructing a new facility has now begun. This phase includes the relocation of heating networks, water supply, and sewage systems, as well as site planning. The works will last three months and will prepare the site for the main construction phase, scheduled for 2027.
“Vocational education plays a crucial role in the country’s recovery, as it is where specialists for critically important sectors of the economy are trained. I am grateful to the Republic of Korea and our international partners for supporting this area. Today, for the first time in over 30 years, we are implementing a systemic reform of vocational education while also making significant investments in its modernization. Workshops are already being upgraded in around 200 vocational and professional pre-tertiary education institutions, and the selection of another 100 colleges for modernization in 2026 is underway. Partner support in this process is essential, as it allows us to scale these changes and make them systemic,” said Oksen Lisovyi, Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine.
With financial support from partners, a new vocational college building is planned, designed to accommodate 800 full-time students and 300 participants in short-term programs. The project aligns with Ukraine’s National Recovery Plan and the National Economic Strategy 2030.
“The construction of a new vocational facility for Vasylkiv Vocational College symbolizes the strong friendship and solidarity between Korea and Ukraine,” said Park Ki-chang, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Korea to Ukraine. “Drawing on its own post-war reconstruction experience, Korea firmly believes that skilled workers play a key role in economic recovery and development, and remains committed to supporting the training of Ukraine’s future workforce.”
For Ukraine, support for education, especially vocational education, is critically important. Projects like this lay the foundation for the country’s recovery by developing skills and strengthening human capital.