ACTIVITIES OF THE INSTITUTE OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF NAES OF UKRAINE IN THE CONDITIONS OF MODERN CHALLENGES

Abstract

The relevance of the study is conditioned by the need to promote the results of scientific, educational, information-analytical, advisory activities of the unified scientific institution in Ukraine that provides scientific and methodological support to domestic vocational and professional pre-higher education, which is in a state of reform. Purpose: to characterize the current challenges and risks for the system of professional and vocational pre-higher education, highlight the main results of the Institute of Vocational Education and Training of the National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine (hereinafter: institute of VET of NAES of Ukraine) in 2021 and prospects for its further development. Methods: theoretical (analysis, synthesis, generalization); empirical (study of legislative and regulatory documents in the field of vocational and professional prehigher education, analysis of the results of structural units of the institute of VET of NAES of Ukraine and materials published on its official website and the website of the professional journal "Professional Pedagogy"). Results: The Institute of Vocational Education and Training of the National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine is presented as a single scientific platform that provides scientific and methodological support for the modernization of modern vocational and professional prehigher education; conducts research on issues relevant to vocational and professional higher education; develops and implements pedagogical innovations in educational institutions (concepts, methodological systems, methods, technologies, etc.); carries out innovative educational activities of different levels; prepares highly qualified personnel for vocational, professional pre-higher and higher education in the specialties 011 Education. Pedagogy and 015 Vocational education (by specializations); is engaged in publishing, information-analytical and expert activities; actively develops international scientific relations, participates in international scientific and educational projects; systematically implements the principles of predictability, academic freedom, integrity, student-centeredness. The main challenges and risks in the activities of the scientific institution are described, its current tasks and ways to solve them are identified. Conclusions: the main challenges to the system of vocational education are described (strengthening of world integration processes, rapid development of digitalization, nationalization, greening, internationalization of professional training of future specialists in developed countries); the risks caused by them are analyzed (centralized and bureaucratized management system in the field of scientific and technical activities; insufficient funding for socio-humanitarian research; low wages of research and teaching staff; reduced prestige of vocational education; underdevelopment of dual education). Based on the analysis of the institute of VET of NAES of Ukraine in 2021 promising areas for further development of scientific institutions are identified (basic and applied research, strengthening the principles of academic integrity; improving educational programs for Masters and Doctors of Philosophy; introduction of modular programs of professional development of pedagogical workers of institutions of vocational and professional pre-higher education); development of corporate culture of the institute and its international activities); the main tasks of the scientific institution are outlined (ensuring the quality of vocational and professional higher education; promoting the development of public-private partnership; improving the system of training teachers in the field of vocational education and training, etc.).