Education and Career Opportunities for Ukrainian Youth Discussed in Bratislava

On February 13, 2026, the Slovak National Gallery (Bratislava) hosted the international conference Dream Job Navigator – Visegrad Edition, dedicated to issues of education, career guidance, and the integration of Ukrainian youth into the labor markets of the Visegrad Four countries.

The event was supported by the International Visegrad Fund. Among the organizers were the Association for Innovative and Digital Education (AIDE) and the Ukrainian Education Hub in Slovakia.

The event was attended by approximately 70 representatives of employers, educational institutions, international organizations, government agencies, and the civil sector. Twenty speakers presented during the program, and an analytical study covered four countries in the region.

The Position of the State and International Partners

The conference was opened by Myroslav Kastran, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Slovak Republic, who emphasized the importance of supporting Ukrainian pupils and students continuing their studies in Slovakia.

In a video address, Ilona Gavronska, Deputy Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine for European Integration, underscored the need to maintain ties with Ukrainian youth abroad and to invest in human capital as the foundation for the country’s post-war recovery.

Experts from international organizations presented the results of studies on the educational trajectories, psychosocial well-being, and integration of Ukrainian adolescent and youth refugees in the Visegrad region.

Key challenges include language barriers, economic pressures, administrative difficulties, and the risk of dropping out of school.

Educational Reforms and Labor Market Challenges

Representatives from Ukrainian ministries outlined progress in reforming upper-secondary specialized schools, the development of career counseling, and state youth policy.

The Slovak side presented an analysis of the national labor market, mechanisms for accessing employment, and support tools for individuals with temporary protection status.

Special attention was given to the results of the Dream Job Navigator study on youth integration into the labor market in the Visegrad Four countries and Ukraine.

Despite the demand for workers, young people face a lack of practical experience, insufficient development of soft skills, and the absence of effective models for the transition from education to their first job. Among the solutions are the development of dual education, internships, and partnerships between education and business.

The Role of Digital Tools

AIDE Executive Director Maria Boguslav presented modern digital solutions in the field of career counseling: AI-powered career matching, digital skill profiles, gamified platforms, and hybrid models for supporting young people.

The use of digital technologies is viewed as a tool for providing systematic support to Ukrainian youth, particularly those with temporary protection status, and as a mechanism for developing the skills of the future—adaptability, critical thinking, and digital literacy.

The Dream Job Navigator – Visegrad Edition conference served as a platform for professional dialogue and the development of joint approaches in the field of career guidance and employment for Ukrainian youth.

The event underscored the need for cross-sectoral cooperation among the government, the education sector, international organizations, and the business community to create sustainable opportunities for the younger generation of Ukrainians—both within Ukraine and beyond its borders.