On May 29, 2025, a roundtable discussion titled “Training Specialists for the Light Industry: Harmonizing the Labor Market and the Educational Services Market” was held at the initiative of the State Institution “Scientific and Methodological Center for Higher and Professional Pre-Higher Education.”

One of the key topics of the event was the discussion of employers’ requirements for training specialists in G15 “Light Industry Technologies”. During the meeting, the participants exchanged views on mechanisms for improving the quality of the educational process, fostering academic growth, shaping the educational trajectory of specialists, and enhancing cooperation between professional higher education institutions and the industry.

Experienced speakers addressed key issues related to the training of specialists in light of current challenges, including the harmonization of the labor market and the educational services market, improving the quality of education, fostering academic growth, shaping individual educational trajectories, and strengthening cooperation between higher education institutions and industry. The participants also exchanged experiences on employer requirements for training specialists in the specialty G15 (182) “Light Industry Technologies”, cooperation between higher education institutions and universities, the organization of methodological work within departments, and student internships.

Olha Haranina, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor of the Department of Fashion Technology at KNUTD, Secretary of the Educational Investment and Technology Cluster of Light Industry in Kyiv, took part in the event with a presentation “Educational Investment and Technology Cluster of Light Industry in Kyiv: focus on technology, innovation in the context of martial law and post-war reconstruction of Ukraine”. In her speech, she emphasized the strategic role of the Cluster as a platform for innovation, technology transfer, formation of a talent pool and modernization of vocational education in the context of martial law and post-war reconstruction of the country.

The speaker emphasized that the Educational Investment and Technology Cluster of Light Industry in Kyiv provides practice-oriented training by offering students opportunities to intern at partner enterprises and implement engineering and creative projects under real production conditions. The Cluster ensures access to innovative infrastructure, including state-of-the-art laboratories, FabLab, 3D technologies, and research facilities. It integrates smart solutions such as functional textile development, digital design, and eco-friendly production. Additionally, the Cluster promotes cross-sectoral communication through participation in exhibitions, forums, international projects, and exchange programs. It also plays a strategic role in post-war reconstruction and in strengthening the state’s defense capabilities through the development of innovative military equipment, camouflage technologies, and dual-use materials.

Thanks to the Cluster, the specialty G15 (182) “Light Industry Technologies” has gained a new quality of development: from the academic growth of students to direct participation in the creation of a competitive national product.

The roundtable demonstrated the importance of dialogue and cooperation between educational institutions and employers. Joint efforts aimed at harmonizing the labor market and educational services are the key to training highly qualified personnel to meet the modern challenges of the light industry.

KNUTD continues to play a leading role in shaping the modern paradigm of engineering and technology education in Ukraine, combining the intellectual, production and innovation potential of the country!

09.06.2025