The Ministry of Education and Science has announced the start of accepting applications from vocational education institutions for the competition for the creation of educational and practical centers.

The total budget of the program is 259 million, which is directed by the Cabinet of Ministers to equip the centers in 2020.

According to the Minister of Education and Science, Hanna Novosad, the Ministry of Education and Culture received such support from the government for educational and practical centers for the first time, so the department intends to spend these funds effectively.

"That is why they will be awarded only to those institutions that teach at least 400 students, have a holistic vision of how to use the center's resources to the maximum benefit and thus improve the level of training. Heads of institutions and local authorities can now finalize their project applications and apply for a transparent competition. This is a real opportunity to improve the quality of education in the most powerful and capable institutions," said the Minister of Education.

You can submit documents for participation in the competition until March 12, 2020.

All vocational education institutions can take part in the competition, regardless of whether the institution already has an educational and practical center.

Equipment will be purchased on the basis of co-financing.

This year, the MES will not limit institutions to the list of professions for which an educational and practical center can be opened. Vocational education institutions together with local authorities can independently determine which specialists the regional labor market lacks and open a center for this profession.

Questions about the terms of participation in the competition can be asked to Serhiy Kovalenko, state expert of the Directorate of Professional Education of the Ministry of Education and Culture, by phone: (044) 287-82-74 or by e-mail kovalenko@mon.gov.ua.