As part of the project "Information support of EU networks in Ukraine", an information event "EU Career Day" was held in Odesa on April 20, at which all interested persons had the opportunity to learn about world and European trends in the labor market, receive answers from professionals about opportunities studies, internships and much more.
The organizers of the large-scale event are the EU Information Center of the Odesa National Economic University (ONEU) and the Representation of the European Union in Ukraine. The moderator of the process was Iryna Shostak, coordinator of the Information Center, associate professor of the Department of Foreign Languages of ONEU.
During discussions, trainings and presentations, young people got acquainted with the ways of professional growth, educational and career opportunities both in the European space and in Ukraine.
Similar events have been held for five years, but this year, due to quarantine restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the organizers were forced to hold it online. The video broadcast of the event, which gathered hundreds of viewers, was broadcast on the YouTube channel.
Oleksandr Litvinov, vice-rector for scientific work of Odesa National Economic University, welcomed the ambitious and goal-oriented young people. He emphasized the importance of holding "EU Career Days", as such events give young people answers to questions about the right choice of further employment.
"Our university fully shares those values that are included in the system of values of the European Union - including the professional development of young people. The university won a grant under the Erasmus academic mobility project - for the formation of dual education programs. It involves dividing the learning process into two parts: the one that takes place at the university, and the second that takes place directly at enterprises, in practice. Odesa National University of Economics became one of the three higher education institutions of Ukraine, which will implement a pilot project to implement the duality of education."
In turn, the manager of the EU project "Information support of EU networks in Ukraine" Denis Chernikov spoke about the priorities of the European Union's policy and the trends they create. He also introduced the participants to the EU programs operating in Ukraine to support the educational and professional opportunities of young people.
According to him, among the main programs of the EU in Ukraine are the "green course", socialization and the creation of a space for health. A lot of attention is also paid to the modernization of regional policy, combating climate change and gender equality.
The event continued with panel discussions on various topics, in particular, those devoted to current trends in the labor market. Participants were told what key skills young people need to build a successful career. Increased interest was caused by the speech of Volodymyr Chervyakov, an expert of the Executive Agency for Small and Medium Enterprises (EASME), with a lecture on how to earn at the level of EU countries while working in Ukraine.
And with Valery Nikyforenko, the head of the Department of Personnel Management and Labor Economics at ONEU, the participants of the event looked into the future of the labor sphere 10-15 years ahead. It turned out that, based on existing trends, researchers predict rapid growth in the labor market of remote work, freelance, self-employment, outsourcing, and temporary project teams. Moreover, 65% of current first-graders will be employed in professions that currently do not yet exist!
In addition, Odesa youth got acquainted with the situation on the labor market of the Odesa region, with possible vacancies and job offers. Moreover, during the event, everyone had the opportunity to ask questions to the experts.
The next part of the Career Day consisted of trainings aimed at developing career skills. That is why the participants of the event took part in the thematic trainings of "boosting" their Softskills skills:
- "Career development, resume writing, cover letter. Preparation for the interview »
- "How to present yourself at an interview"
- "Interview for your dream job"
The full recording of the interesting event can be viewed at the link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqq2bdVCShc
