On 26 February, a regional forum “Business Human Resources: Synergy of Education and Labour Market” was held in Chernihiv. The event has become an effective platform for an open dialogue between representatives of government, business, international partners and educational institutions, facilitating the exchange of experience and joint search for solutions to overcome the staff shortage in the areas of recovery and development.

The forum was joined by representatives of the Chernihiv Polytechnic National University, including Rector Oleh Novomlynets, Deputy Director of the Educational-Scientific Institute of Engineering, Manufacturing and Construction, Chairman of the Employers’ Council of the Chernihiv Polytechnic National University Serhii Tsybulia, and Head of the Career Development Centre Olena Petryk. The participants shared their vision of solving personnel challenges and stressed the importance of cooperation between education and business.

Associate Professor of the Department of Architecture and Environment Design Shabardina Yuliia moderated the second panel discussion “Cooperation between business and educational institutions for the recovery and development of the region’s economy. Practical cases”. During the discussion, the speakers shared their real-life experience and results of implementing the dual form of education, paid attention to the issues of effective formats of cooperation between educational institutions and employers, the necessary competencies of graduates, as well as incentives for business that will promote more active participation in the training of future professionals.

Also, as part of the forum, students of the Department of Architecture and Environment Design Shulha Ye., Deblik M. and Matsenko D. took part in the networking session “The Kingdom of Belgium: Contribution to World Culture”. The participants of the event had the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of Belgian architecture and art, to get acquainted with the work of Belgian architect Victor Horta.

The forum has become a platform for uniting the efforts of government officials, international partners, businesses and educational institutions to strengthen cooperation and find effective solutions to provide the labour market with qualified specialists. The participants discussed current trends and challenges in the employment sector, outlined the most in-demand professions in the region and analysed the issues of training, retraining and re-qualification of personnel.

The event was an important step in creating effective interaction between all stakeholders and developing a strategy to overcome the region’s staffing challenges.

The forum was organised by the Chernihiv Regional Military Administration with the support of the Belgian Development Agency Enabel in Ukraine in partnership with the Chernihiv Regional Development Agency and with the participation of the French Agency for International Technical Cooperation Expertise France.