The state order for obtaining the educational and qualification level "junior specialist" in 2016 was increased by 10 %, this decision was taken by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine in connection with the uncertain situation with the financing of the order for vocational and technical institutions on the ground. This was reported by the Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine, Liliya Hrynevych, during a press conference on the topic: "Peculiarities of the admissions campaign - 2016".

"Everyone is well aware that we currently have problems in the field with the financing of vocational and technical educational institutions, and if there is a situation in the field that the regional order will be reduced, then the recruitment of a junior specialist can open up opportunities for ninth graders to get further education" , - explained Liliya Hrynevych.

It should be noted that currently, after the ninth grade, in addition to vocational and technical institutions, a child can also enter higher educational institutions of the first and second level of accreditation to obtain the educational qualification level of "junior specialist". This is due to the fact that in these institutions it is possible to study at the same time under the educational and professional programs of training a junior specialist and the program of full general secondary education.

In 2016, the last recruitment for a junior specialist was carried out. This change is caused by the gradual implementation of the Law "On Higher Education", which provides for a three-level system: bachelor's, master's and doctor of philosophy.

"Now we are working on a new version of the law "On professional education", according to this law, a junior specialist will belong to higher professional education," Liliya Hrynevych explained.