On August 26, 2025, a strategic session of furniture manufacturers, educators, and vocational education experts was held in Bila Tserkva, dedicated to the development of professional standards in the furniture sector.

Participants had the opportunity to discuss key challenges in staffing and identify priority changes. Based on the results of the voting, the working group supported an approach aligned with the European ESCO classification — where the profession of “furniture maker” is detailed according to specific production processes.

Results of the work

Drafts of professional standards were developed for:

• “Case furniture manufacturer”

• “Operator of automated CNC furniture equipment”

 

 

Among the priorities, participants highlighted:

• promoting professions among applicants and their parents;

• systematic work on building the employer brand in the furniture industry;

• adapting vocational school programs to modern technologies.

 

 

Participants

The working group included representatives of the companies Kyivskyi Standart, Viant, RKB, Senam, VIP-Maister, Stolyaročka, as well as vocational education experts.
Among them:

• Svitlana Kravets, Head of the Department of Foreign Vocational Education Systems, Head of the Center for Modern Professions and Training Technologies of the Institute of Vocational Education of the National Academy of Pedagogical Sciences of Ukraine, PhD in Pedagogical Sciences, Senior Researcher;

• Oleksandr Slobodyanyk, Acting Director of Bila Tserkva Higher Vocational School of Construction and Service.

The session was moderated by Oksana Donska, Board Member of the Ukrainian Association of Furniture Manufacturers, co-founder of MebelOK and Oakhunt.

Next steps

Based on the outcomes, full versions of the professional standards will be prepared and submitted to the National Qualifications Agency.

This is only the first step. The Ukrainian furniture industry has up to a dozen more professions for which modern professional standards need to be developed. Ahead lies a large joint effort, and we invite companies from all regions to join this process. If you are ready to participate in developing standards in your region, please contact the UAFM directorate. Together, we can create clear and attractive professions for young people and provide the industry with skilled staff for years to come.