Experts from the EasyBusiness NGO have conducted an in-depth study of the current state of autonomy among vocational education institutions in Ukraine.
In September 2025, the Law of Ukraine “On Vocational Education” entered into force. The law enshrines the principle of autonomy for vocational education institutions (including Article 34) and provides a regulatory foundation for systemic transformation. At the same time, EasyBusiness’ analysis shows that putting autonomy into practice requires not only legislative change, but also the managerial capacity of the institutions themselves.
As part of the project Profosvita: Autonomy of the Future (PAF), implemented by EasyBusiness within the multi-donor Skills4Recovery initiative with support from the EU and the governments of Germany, Poland, Estonia, and Denmark, a comprehensive assessment was carried out on the state of autonomy of vocational education institutions in Ukraine, including their challenges and opportunities amid the workforce crisis, economic recovery, and regional development.
EasyBusiness experts surveyed 37 vocational education institutions across 16 oblasts of Ukraine and the city of Kyiv.
Based on the survey results, analysts examined four key dimensions of VEI autonomy that determine institutions’ real capacity to operate as modern education providers:
- Governance autonomy – building teams, making management decisions, and managing assets;
- Financial autonomy – funding sources, use of funds, and revenue diversification;
- Pedagogical autonomy – developing educational programmes, methodological work, and academic freedom;
- Autonomy in partnerships and services – cooperation with businesses and communities, and provision of fee-based services.
The analysis is also grounded in a review of Ukrainian and international experience in implementing institutional autonomy.
Vocational education plays a pivotal role in supplying the country with a skilled workforce for the wartime economy and post-war recovery. At the same time, Ukraine’s Vocational Education system is undergoing profound transformation.
As of 2025:
- 653 vocational education institutions operate in Ukraine;
- they educate 214.4 thousand students which is three times fewer than in 1990.
The study also separately analysed labour market needs in four critical sectors of the economy:
- construction (where labour shortages are a critical constraint for around 70% of companies),
- transport and logistics,
- agriculture,
- critical services, including IT and rehabilitation.
The analytical report “Profosvita: Autonomy of the Future” forms the basis for further work under the project. Next stages include:
- developing a target model for an autonomous vocational education institution;
- producing practical recommendations for policy and management decisions;
preparing a roadmap for expanding autonomy across vocational education institutions.
You can access the report via the following link
The project “Profosvita: Autonomy of the Future (PAF)” is implemented by EasyBusiness with financial support from the European Union and the governments of Germany, Poland, Estonia, and Denmark within the multi-donor Skills4Recovery initiative, implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and Solidarity Fund PL (SFPL).