Promoting VET by Implementing a "Dual System" in Ukraine

In the course of recent history, the Ukrainian vocational education and training system (VET) system has evolved from a system with a large share of work-based learning to a school-based model. Both models struggle(ed) with a lack of appreciation among the population and in companies (Braun, 2022; Melnyk, 2021). Currently, attempts are being made to upgrade marginalised VET by moving work-based learning back to the centre of it. Specifically, Ukraine implemented a dual VET system in a pilot project in 2015, which has since expanded. While three VET institutions were involved in 2015, 217 were recorded in 2021 (MES & Institute of Educational Analytics, 2021). This is not only associated with hopes for demand-oriented, recognised VET, but also with challenges such as creating a working legal framework for the dual forms of education, encouraging and creating incentives for all actors to participate and contribute to the development of the skill formation and overcoming long-established stereotypes about VET in Ukraine (e. g. Boichevska & Veremiuk, 2020; Deissinger & Melnyk, 2019). The aim of the paper is to analyse these issues and come to an up-to-date assessment of the reform implementation, its possible prospects and pitfalls. To achieve this goal, it is first necessary to consider why it is important to promote VET in Ukraine in the first place and where its low esteem results from. This is primarily due to historical-political developments and cultural causes (Braun, 2022; Melnyk, 2021). Finally, the dual system approach is analysed in concrete terms, taking into account the previously explained background, and the challenges are worked out. For example, it is difficult to convince employers to participate in VET, which they usually see as the sole responsibility of the state (cf. Prytomanov et al., 2018). The results present a summary of the diverse research activities of the authors connected with VET in Ukraine conducted during 2018-2021.