Over 1800 Ukrainians Learned Tech Skills: Results of the IT Generation Project

The IT Generation project, offering free education in tech specialties for Ukrainians, has been successfully completed. 1877 students have acquired new tech skills. Moreover, about 150 of the first students have already found employment in tech companies.

“IT Generation is one of the flagship projects of the Ministry of Digital Transformation, as the development of education for our country’s future economic and technological growth is crucial. Therefore, IT Generation is just the beginning. We will continue to assist talented Ukrainians in building successful careers in the promising technology industry,” said Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, Oleksandr Bornyakov.

The studies within the project took place from September 2022 to July 2023, depending on the school and specific educational course.

378 students chose FrontEnd, 299 – QA, 231– UI/UX Design, 214 – Python, 182 –  Project/Product Management, 152 – Java, 151– JavaScript, 105 – HR, 88 – Digital Marketing, 46 – Business Analysis, and 31– Blockchain.

“Education is one of the priority areas of focus for Lviv IT Cluster. Together with tech companies and universities, we have launched 19 modernized bachelor’s degree programs in Lviv, with over 4500 students currently enrolled. The tech industry is a sector of human capital, so investing in education is an investment in the future of the tech industry. We thank our partners and the Ministry of Digital Transformation for fruitful cooperation and work on the IT Generation project. Together, we have created an opportunity for every Ukrainian to receive a new promising profession for free and start a successful career in tech, even in the face of challenges of war and difficult times for Ukrainian tech,” added CEO of Lviv IT Cluster, Stepan Veselovskyi.

147 graduates have already been successfully employed in the tech sector. Students of the project quickly find their first job in tech, and this number is expected to double soon. Project (product) management, HR, and JavaScript are among the most popular areas to employ the IT Generation graduates.  

The highest number of employed graduates came from the following schools – GoIT (20.6% of all students), Source IT (19%), and A-Level (15.7%).

Within the project, Binance Charity, a partner, allocated $1 million for scholarships benefiting 1830 students, while the schools sponsored an additional 370 participants.

“The IT Generation project has become a significant milestone in our partnership with the Ministry of Digital Transformation. We are delighted that it has demonstrated real value. The project aimed to support Ukrainians who lost their jobs due to the war and serves as another testament to the positive impact of cryptocurrencies and blockchain on transforming our society,” said Kyrylo Khomyakov, General Manager of Binance in Ukraine.

2200 Ukrainians participated in the project, with over 85% successfully completing their training.

“The United Nations Development Programme in Ukraine is committed to supporting the means of subsistence and employment for Ukrainians, which are priority issues for the government. Our ultimate goal is to provide opportunities and give people the right to ownership of their lives and future. Thanks to our strategic partnership with Sweden and through the IT Generation project, we have helped Ukrainians who suffered from the war to gain new knowledge and competitive professions. This will help them secure new sources of livelihood,” stated Christoforos Politis, Deputy Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme in Ukraine.

323 students needed help to complete their training due to problems caused by Russian aggression, such as power outages, relocation to other countries, and personal circumstances. The majority of students who did not complete the project signed up for the FrontEnd course.

The IT Generation project of the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine was launched in late June 2022 in partnership with Binance Charity and Lviv IT Cluster, with the support of the USAID Competitive Economy of Ukraine program and the project “Digital, Inclusive, Accessible: Support for the Digitalization of Public Services in Ukraine” implemented by UNDP in Ukraine with the support of Sweden.

Ministry of Digital Transformation

Established in September 2019, the Ministry of Digital Transformation aims to transform Ukraine into a digital state. One of its key projects is the Diia ecosystem, which includes a mobile application, a web portal, and other services. Diia introduced the world’s first digital passport, expedited business registration, a comprehensive service for new parents called eMalatko, and many other benefits. Another significant project, Diia.City offers a unique legal and tax space for IT companies. After the full-scale Russian invasion, the Ministry initiated the world’s first digital war against the aggressor.

Lviv IT Cluster

The Lviv IT Cluster is the largest IT community in Ukraine, comprising over 270 tech companies. For the past ten years, the cluster has initiated and implemented projects focused on developing specialized education, supporting startups, city infrastructure development, and providing favorable conditions for living and doing business in Lviv. Following the full-scale Russian invasion, the cluster launched several projects to assist the Ukrainian Armed Forces, enhance regional security and defense capabilities, and support internally displaced persons.

Binance Charity

Binance Charity is a nonprofit organization that promotes charity through blockchain technology to achieve global sustainable development. As part of its aid program for Ukrainians affected by the war, Binance allocated $10 million through the Binance Charity fund to support displaced children and families in Ukraine and neighboring countries. Binance Charity also collaborates with charitable organizations in Ukraine to support those who can’t leave and face even more significant threats to their lives.

Binance Charity has also created the crypto crowdfunding site “Relief Fund for Ukraine,” allowing people worldwide to donate cryptocurrency to support Ukraine. It has already raised approximately $14 million.

USAID “Competitive Economy of Ukraine” Program

The USAID “Competitive Economy of Ukraine” (USAID CEP) program supports startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to enhance their competitiveness in the domestic and international markets. It helps create a simplified and transparent business climate and provides Ukrainian companies with opportunities to benefit from global trade advantages.

Project “Digital, Inclusive, Accessible: Support for the Digitalization of Public Services in Ukraine”

Implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine in partnership with the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine and financially supported by Sweden, the project aims to bridge the digital divide between generations and different social groups. Its primary goal is to improve the accessibility of new digital solutions, ensuring that every man and woman in Ukraine can use electronic services without being left behind.