The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
Building skills for the future in Ukraine
UNOPS and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) will work together to construct a new building for the Vasylkiv Vocational Lyceum in the Kyiv region.
The Vasylkiv Vocational Lyceum in the Kyiv region is a key training centre for construction, welding, and service sector jobs. But in February 2022, a missile strike destroyed its main building, leaving students without a proper facility for learning. The loss of this institution deepened the shortage of vocational education facilities, creating challenges for workforce development at a time when Ukraine urgently needs skilled workers for reconstruction.
“The lyceum has been a prominent institution for our community, and its destruction in 2022 was a major loss,” said Liudmyla Postolenko, the lyceum director.
To enhance vocational training opportunities, , UNOPS and KOICA have partnered to rebuild the lyceum from the ground up. The $13.9 million project, which aligns with Ukraine’s National Recovery Plan and National Economic Strategy 2030, will deliver a modern, four-storey facility. UNOPS will oversee all aspects of the project – from design and certification to construction. The new building will accommodate 800 full-time students and 300 short-term trainees, ensuring more people can gain valuable vocational skills. In addition, UNOPS will equip the lyceum with furniture and other items to ensure it is fully operational.
We are all very excited to welcome the reconstruction project. It gives us all hope that the terrible reality of the invasion can finally be left behind.
“In the aftermath of the Korean war, Korea was in desperate need of human resources for the reconstruction of infrastructure and made a huge investment in education and training, which was key to rapid economic growth,” says Mr. Lee Taekkeun, Country Director of KOICA office in Ukraine. “I hope the Vasylkiv professional school will emerge as a hub for the production of a talented work force who will lead the reconstruction effort of Ukraine over the next decade.”
“UNOPS has been providing assistance to meet Ukraine’s needs ever since the start of Russia’s invasion,” said Massimo Diana, Director of UNOPS Multi-Country Office for Ukraine, Moldova and Poland.
“This project is about more than bricks and mortar: it is about opportunity, resilience and empowerment. By integrating inclusive design, cutting-edge facilities, and a commitment to sustainability, we are creating a model for education recovery in Ukraine," he added.
