Since 2000, NATO has supported Ukraine in implementing the Retraining Programme for former military personnel seeking to improve their chances of employment in the civilian sector.
The objective of the programme is to assist Ukraine in addressing the social adaptation of professional military personnel.
In 1999, the NATO Economic Security and Defence Directorate launched a language training programme in Ukraine. Since 2007, the programme has expanded to include training in economic disciplines, which are delivered by experienced Ukrainian educational institutions and training organisations.
The programme provides opportunities for training in such fields as management, marketing, English language, small business economics, radio electronics, design, information technology, security, and small vessel navigation, among others.
Over the years, courses have been conducted in more than 60 cities and towns across Ukraine. The civilian budget allocated for 2018 enabled the retraining of approximately 800 beneficiaries.
On June 13, 2018, the ceremonial opening of the seventh regional professional training courses for military personnel took place at the 52nd Garrison Officers’ Club of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the village of Ozerné, Zhytomyr district, Zhytomyr region. The courses were implemented by the Khmelnytskyi Center for Retraining and Social Adaptation of Khmelnytskyi National University.
Attending the ceremony were Christopher Staudt, NATO-Ukraine Programme Manager for Military Retraining and Consultant at the Political Affairs and Security Policy Division; Oleksandra Ohorodnikova, Executive Manager of the NATO-Ukraine Military Retraining Programme; Mykola Kozarchuk, Deputy Head of the Zhytomyr District State Administration; Vasyl Stakh, Deputy Head of the Zhytomyr District Council; Lieutenant Colonel Andrii Kachura, Deputy Head of the Ozerné Garrison for Moral and Psychological Support; and Lieutenant Colonel Valentyn Stakhovskyi, Commander of Military Unit A-1724.
Twenty-six military personnel completed retraining in the “Management” specialty, which consisted of 350 academic hours. The programme is available to military personnel scheduled for discharge within the coming year, as well as to veterans who were discharged from the Armed Forces of Ukraine within the past three years, and those who left the military up to ten years ago but were later mobilized and participated in the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO).
During the retraining courses, participants acquire new knowledge and skills in civilian specialties required for successful adaptation and employment in enterprises, organizations, and institutions.
Participants in regional courses can receive training at the Khmelnytskyi Center for Retraining and Social Adaptation in specialties such as “Management,” “Accounting and Taxation,” “Design,” “Computer Engineering,” and “Telecommunications and Radio Electronics.” The management of the Khmelnytskyi Center also provides employment assistance to military personnel who have completed their service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The primary goal of the programme is to provide professional education through retraining or advanced training and to support employment for military personnel who have retired, been discharged from active service, or are scheduled for discharge from the Armed Forces.
The project coordinator at the university is Professor Mykola P. Voinarenko, Doctor of Economic Sciences and Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs.