International forum in Kyiv on human capital: value, quality, development

International conferences on education and training don’t usually start with a minute’s silence for the fallen, but after nearly three years of war, meetings of Ukraine’s skills experts are anything but normal.  

Thursday’s (December 12) gathering in Kyiv of the Fifth International Forum, “Human Capital: Value, Quality, Development” brought together government ministers, parliamentary committee chairs, heads of national qualifications agencies and international guests that included – via video link – addresses by Mario Nava, Director General of the European Commission’s DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, and Pilvi Torsti, the European Training Foundation’s director.  

Hosted by Ukraine’s National Technical University, the Igor Sikorsky Polytechnic Institute in its ‘Smart Centre CLUST SPACE’ – an old underground book depository turned into a multi-functional air raid shelter for students and academic events – the conference reflected Ukraine’s determination to work toward a successful, EU-focused post-war world even as its armed forced continue to combat Russian aggression after more than 1,000 days of conflict.  

The embattled country’s opening of EU accession talks in June, marked an historic step towards a strong and confident future.   

Speaking to conference participants via video link following an opening speech by Oksen Lisovyi, Ukraine’s Minister of Education and Science – who stressed the key role the development of human capital had to play in the country’s future even while it was losing people to war and migration daily – Mr Nava noted that starting negotiations to join the EU would “drive Ukraine’s progressive adoption of the EU acquis, including the EU Skills and Qualifications network.”  

Lisovyi, who is also a volunteer in the Ukrainian army’s 95^th brigade, added: “I cannot stress enough the key role of skills in building socially fair and resilient societies and ensuring Europe’s competitiveness globally.”  

Ukraine’s involvement in the European Year of Skills was “commendable” and he urged the country to “take full advantage of its participation in the European Qualifications Framework advisory group, and make full use of the Erasmus Plus grant for its national coordination point.”  

The new Commission, that took office in early December, had make “skills a top priority”, Mr Nava added.  

His remarks were warmly welcomed by conference participants – and had been anticipated in a brief video address by Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chairman of Ukraine’s Parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, who said: “Our biggest value is our people. Developing professions and talents is the most important thing for our people. Adapting our system of qualifications to European norms is a key aim of our innovation centres across Ukraine. Forming strong human capital is key to our future and we are bringing forward new laws to support this as part of our path to European integration.” 

 The readiness to work with European partners was reflected in speeches by participants from bodies that ranged from employers’ associations, heads of parliamentary committees for education and for social protection, university rectors and leaders in the development of professional and technical qualifications.  

This openness was welcomed by the European Training Foundation’s Pilvi Torsti.  

The ETF has been a long-term supporter of Ukraine and has long collaborated with its National Qualifications Agency and in supporting the development of its National Qualifications Framework, she said.  

“Supporting Ukraine's integration into the European qualifications framework is vital for labour market stability and recognition of Ukrainian qualifications.”  

Russia’s invasion had “reshaped” Ukraine’s labour market, forcing six million people to flee the countries and displacing large numbers within Ukraine. In this context, “transparency, comparability, and trust are essential for addressing Ukraine’s labour market shifts.”  

It was “critical to build trust and ensure transparency in national qualifications” and “comparability with EU systems enhances recognition and mobility.” Displaced professionals and refugees could be supported through “clear, trusted qualifications processes.”  

By focusing on clear aims and objectives, the development of qualifications and could be aligned with EU standards and qualification recognition, she added.   

There should be greater emphasis on learning outcomes and recognition of qualifications beyond traditional areas such as university, to include the validation of non-formal or informal learning, especially in vocational education and training. Digitalising standards to enable rapid regional and international comparisons was vital.   

The ETF’s Ukraine Task Force was set up to support the process of EU integration, Torsti explained, concluding: “We are with the EC colleagues here today to support you!”  

Halyna Tretyakova, chair of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Social Policy and Protection of Veterans’ Rights, echoed these comments, remarking: “We are aiming to have completely transferable qualifications, so that we Ukrainians can go to Europe with our qualifications and have them accepted there.”  

She added that national qualification standards were particularly important for reintegrating people with disabilities into the workforce. “This is a key factor now, in a country at war,” she said.  

The value of flexible, micro-qualifications, was particularly important to the construction industry in a country where demand for reconstruction would only rise, Vasyl Andreev, deputy chair of the Federation of Ukrainian Trade Unions, noted.