On December 15-17, 2025, the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine (FPU)hosted a three-day webinar on the role of unions in the development of professional qualifications for workers in Ukraine, which was held as part of the “Trade Unions Fighting Inequality and Reconstructing Peace and Democracy in Ukraine” program.
The webinar attracted 51 FPU union leaders who learned about Ukraine’s professional qualifications, the National Unified Register, and its alignment with the European Qualifications Framework. Connecting Ukrainian and EU qualifications is vital for recognizing Ukrainians’ credentials in Europe and supporting Ukraine’s labor market, which needs skilled professionals for reconstruction. Many displaced Ukrainians working or studying in the EU are expected to return home, and their EU qualifications should be recognized in Ukraine.
Nataliya Yeremeyeva, LO advisor on Ukraine, delivered opening remarks on behalf of LO. Vasyl Andreev, Vice President of FPU and an expert in professional qualifications, particularly in the construction sector, noted: “When we discuss professional qualifications and standards, it might sound formal and bureaucratic, but behind every document is a person whose future work, salary, and stability depend on it. That’s why we initiated this education program—to achieve real results, and to strengthen workers’ protections in cases where they lack professional qualification certificates.”
Tristan Masat, Solidarity Center Country Program Director for Ukraine and Chair of the Labor Initiatives Board, stated: “Worker involvement in developing professional qualifications has been important for centuries, including where trades and guilds supervised education in their craft. Today, union participation in this process can enhance working conditions, boost safety at work, and create fairer economic conditions.”
The concept of this webinar has been anticipated for its implementation for nearly five years, dating back to the establishment of the National Qualifications Agency in 2019 as a tripartite collegial body. By the end of 2021, unions acquired the authority to participate in nearly all stages of the development and approval of professional qualifications. Increasing awareness among union representatives regarding the procedures for initiating and approving these qualifications remains important.
Nevertheless, over the years, the webinar on this topic was not prioritized due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the full-scale invasion. FPU has encountered challenges where many union leaders need support to understand their roles and responsibilities in the process.
However, wartime realities demonstrated that emerging professions in the security sector, such as rehabilitating war veterans, require regulation and formalization, along with union involvement at all stages.
Following a series of three intensive webinars, 35 union leaders successfully passed the final assessment and were awarded their certificates. In their feedback, union representatives expressed appreciation for the focus on this subject and emphasized,
“At the seminar, we learned how to become ‘advocates for professions’. Trade unions play a crucial role in safeguarding workers’ interests amidst emerging professional titles and qualification standards.”
