Erasmus+ project PAGOSTE

January 24, 2022 there was conducted the meeting of the Academic Council of the Institute for Vocational Education of the National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine in accordance with the competence "to discuss the most important scientific, scientific and practical, other problems concerning the core activities of the Institute". At the meeting Doctor of Education, Senior Researcher Oleksandr Radkevych introduced to members of the Academic Council with the results of an educational visit to the University of Constance (Germany), which was organized within the framework of the international project Erasmus + "New mechanisms of partnership-based governance and standardization of vocational teacher education in Ukraine" (PAGOSTE).

The speaker, based on the experience of using the pedagogical traineeship (Referendariat) in German universities, proposed the concept of the pedagogical traineeship prepared jointly with Larisa Korvat and Vladyslav Belan for higher education institutions of Ukraine, where the teachers training of vocational education is carried out.

According to the proposed concept, the pedagogical traineeship is held in vocational education institutions from 18 to 24 months and is an independent practice-oriented, final stage of obtaining pedagogical education. Pedagogical traineeship is a purposeful process of forming the professional competence of future teachers of vocational education during their practice in educational institutions (conducting theoretical and practical classes). For the entire period of practice (18-24 months) they are assigned a mentor (tutor), during which they acquire practice-oriented competencies. The pedagogical workload on referenda may be 30% less than that of a full-time teacher. However, the salary is 100% of the lowest teacher`s salary.

After completing a six-month internship at an educational institution, trainees are assigned to another educational institution, where they train for 12-18 months and acquire the skills of a teacher's professional activity. Trainees independently conduct lectures, seminars and practical classes, but if necessary, they can turn to teachers for advice.

After completing the practice, trainees take a qualifying exam. Assignments for this exam are developed by representatives of universities, educational institutions and stakeholders. Upon successful completion of this exam, trainees receive a Certificate, which is a confirmation of their pedagogical knowledge and skills. An important aspect of teacher certification is successful employment and salary increase by 20%.     

The implementation of this concept satisfies all parties involved: the universities, which employ their graduates in educational institutions. The quality of the teaching staff at these institutions is enhanced, vocational training institutions receive motivated young teachers who stand a better chance of returning to the institution, employers receive quality trained skilled workers for specific economic sectors.

The concept of pedagogical traineeship aroused considerable scientific interest among the members of the Scientific Council of the Institute of Vocational Education of the National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine. The following professors took part in the discussion: Petro Luzan, Mykola Pryhodii, Andrii Kalenskyi, Andrii Hurzhii, Mariia Telovata, Liudmyla Yershova, and others. It was unanimously decided to approve the concept and recommendations for the creative use of the constructive experience of Germany in the practice of training future teachers of professional education in the system of higher education in Ukraine and the dissemination of foreign experience of pedagogical traineeship (Referendariat).