An informative registry comparing Polish and Ukrainian occupations in 12 professional activites
About this good practice
Poland has been hosting a considerable number of Ukrainians, especially since the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation in Ukraine. Currently, c. 70% working migrants are Ukrainian citizens and the issue of recognition and/or validation of skills & qualifications acquired in Ukraine became vital to help them secure employment in line with their academic and professional qualifications and experience.
An intensive and extensive comparative analysis was conducted in order to map similarities and differences in (a) classification and standardization of occupations in Poland & Ukraine, as well as differences in educational systems, (b) between selected Polish & Ukrainian occupations. In effect, the informative registry was created (in an online and offline version) which comprises more than 200 regulated, semi-regulated and non-regulated professions in 12 areas of professional activity, i.e.: physiotherapists & masseurs, doctors, nurses, psychiatrists & psychologists, caregivers of the elderly & of people with disabilities, general & vocational education teachers, special needs education teachers, accountants, warehouse workers, drivers and mechanics, architects and engineers, locksmiths and welders. The registry is intended to facilitate the work of employers as well as career counsellors at public employment offices but with guidance it can also be used by Ukrainians with foreign qualifications.
Resources needed
2 full-time employees, 2 consultants, plus intensive and extensive consultations with numerous experts, institutions and professional boards.
Evidence of success
The registry – still in the early stage of its development – was consulted with representatives of Polish labour offices. Already then, a majority of the respondents saw the format as useful to the career counsellors (82%) and other institutions involved in the recognition of qualifications and skills (64%). . After completion of the registry, it was seen by 99% of respondents as useful or rather useful.
Potential for learning or transfer
It is useful for both labour offices and employees and employers, and is also an excellent tool for career advisors. It gives an outline of the major similarities and differences between selected Polish and Ukrainian occupations and points to potential paths for recognition & validation of Ukrainian qualifications and skills in Poland. Allows you to determine the migrant's situation on the labour market and develop a career development path. Career advisors and employers use this tool to find out whether a migrant can perform a given profession based on the given qualifications, which brings him closer to the labour market and accelerates his employment and further professional development.
The content of the registry is context-dependent but the methodology that was applied can be transferred to other contexts. The registry is accompanied by a report outlining the methodological toolbox that was applied for the comparative analysis.