Professional orientation: modern view and prospects of change

‘The article presents results of the research which is carried out according to the thematic plan of research of the chair of vocational and higher education of the Central institute of postgraduate education of the SIHE «University of educational management on the topic: «Transformation of professional development of pedagogic and research staff in the environment of an open university for postgraduate studies» (state registration number № РК 0120U104637). Author's position is to present an analytical discourse for review of the basis of vocational orientation in the new Ukrainian school, acquainting readers with the conceptual foundations for organizing vocational orientation of youth, developed under the EU-funded programme «EU4Skills: better skills for modern Ukraine, where the key objective is to increase the efficiency of changes in vocational education and modernization of its infrastructure. Universal transversal skills (soft skills), such as knowledge and information management, conducting negotiations, ability to analyze and make effective decisions, solve complex problems, allow to quickly adapt to new conditions, and, in conjunction with technical knowledge – support competitiveness and labour market adaptation. Without a doubt, system for vocational orientation provides opportunities for the economy to become more effective and for the society to be more inclusive. A conscious choice of occupation is an important step for professional and personal self-realization of youth, development of future career and life priorities. Reforms of the school system have already constructed the legal foundations for implementation of vocational orientation in schools. Vocational orientation in the educational institutions is always a living process, which, at every level of education, needs to consider results of the previous levels. This will be considered during the implementation of the national educational experiment: «Vocational orientation in the New Ukrainian School» implemented in a number of public schools in 2021–2026.