Empowering Ukrainian tourist guides for a digital, inclusive, and resilient European tourism sector.

Our pledge

I. Strategic Alignment with EU Priorities:

The Ukrainian Tourist Guides Association (UTGA) is committed to advancing the Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition'sThe Ukrainian Tourist Guides Association (UTGA) is committed to advancing the Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition's mission by fostering digital transformation, enhancing professional mobility, and supporting lifelong learning within the tourism sector. Our pledge directly addresses the need for a skilled workforce capable of driving green and digital transitions, especially in the context of Ukraine's post-war recovery and EU integration.

We believe that the profession of Tourist Guide (by type of tourism) is central to promoting cultural understanding and economic resilience. By integrating innovative EdTech solutions, we aim to transform traditional qualifications into a transparent, verifiable, and globally compatible system.

II. Our Specific Commitments and Key Actions (2026–2028):

UTGA pledges to implement the following key initiatives, contributing to a stronger and more adaptive European tourism workforce:

1. Digital Skills Enhancement for 500+ Guides:

• Action: Develop and deliver a specialized "Digital Skills for Modern Tourist Guides" training program, covering AI-assisted guiding, digital content creation, and secure data management.
• Target: Train and certify at least 500 tourist guides with enhanced digital competencies by the end of 2028.
• Certification:  Issuance of verifiable UTGA Digital Skills Badges (Open Badges 2.0), ensuring alignment with EQF standards

      2. Establishment of a National Qualification Hub for Tourist Guides:

• Action: Fully implement the 2026 Professional Standard for Tourist GuidesNational Qualification Hub by integrating it with our UTGA Digital Registry and a network of accredited Qualification Centres.
• Target: Achieve formal recognition of our Professional Standard by the National Agency for Qualifications (NQA) of Ukraine by Q4 2026.

• Outcome: Creation of a transparent, real-time qualification verification system, fostering trust among employers and consumers.

  3. Promotion of Professional Mobility and Recognition:

• Action: Launch and scale the "Mobility and Recognition Track for Ukrainian Tourist Guides" program, focusing on the validation of non-formal and informal learning (VNFIL) for IDPs, veterans, and individuals seeking to integrate into the EU labor market.
• Target: Target: Facilitate the recognition of qualifications for 300+ Ukrainian guides in EU countries by the end of 2027, utilizing Europass-compatible digital portfolios.
• Outcome: Outcome: Enhanced career opportunities and reduced administrative barriers for Ukrainian professionals abroad.

      4. Strengthening Work-Based Learning and Mentorship:

• Action: Implement the "Masters Guiding Masters" mentorship program to train at least 75 certified mentors, supporting work-based learning within the framework of Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) principles.
• Target:Target: Establish a robust mentorship network that effectively transfers practical skills and ethical standards to new generations of tourist guides by 2028.

• Outcome: Improved quality of practical training and a sustainable model for professional development in the tourism VET sector.

III. Our Contribution to the European Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition:

UTGA’s commitment will directly contribute to: 

• Increasing the number of digitally skilled professionals in Europe. 
• Strengthening the recognition and comparability of qualifications across borders. 
• Promoting innovative EdTech solutions for lifelong learning and professional development. 
• Supporting the social and economic integration of vulnerable groups through quality VET opportunities.

We invite partners, employers, and policymakers to join us in this crucial endeavor to build a future-ready tourism workforce.