EU Project Pravo-Justice supported HR School 2026 for all regional offices and the headquarters of the State Institution “Probation Centre”

On 8 April, HR School 2026, the online training course organised on the initiative and with the expert support of EU Project Pravo-Justice, was completed. The course was designed for HR staff of the regional offices and the headquarters of the State Institution “Probation Centre.” Over the course of three weeks, participants enrolled in HR School 2026 learned about modern approaches to human resources management in order to more effectively recruit, onboard and retain staff, as well as to develop a people-centred and engaging organisational culture within the probation system, with particular emphasis on employer branding and practical HR solutions applicable in day-to-day work.

Twenty-six HR officers from across Ukraine who work directly with probation staff took part in the training. The course was delivered by Serhii Synohub, a national expert at EU Project Pravo-Justice.

“Developing the probation system is an integral part of Ukraine’s European integration path, which is centred on individuals, their rights and dignity. This shapes our approach to human resources management: from formal procedures to people-centred solutions. This was exactly what HR School 2026 aimed to achieve – introducing practical tools, in particular employer branding and creating an environment in which employees want to work and develop,” said Serhii Synohub. He also emphasised that human resource development is one of the key factors in ensuring the effectiveness of the probation system, as both the quality of work with clients and the sustainability of reforms depend on the capacity of its teams.

The curriculum comprised three practical modules addressing key challenges in day-to-day work with staff. In the first module, participants focused on building the employer brand of the probation service – discussing how to clearly define the value of working in the system and learn to communicate this clearly and convincingly to potential candidates and current staff. The second module was devoted to contemporary recruitment. It covered how to find staff despite a personnel shortage, build an effective selection process, and ensure the successful onboarding of new employees. The third module focused on preventing professional burnout. Participants explored approaches to supporting teams, early response tools to address burnout risks, and creating a safe working environment.

Upon completion of the training, participants not only recapped their theoretical knowledge but also gained practical tools for their day-to-day work with staff.

“The tools we learned about at this training can already be put to use in our daily work, from recruiting new professionals to helping them with onboarding and supporting them within the team. For us, this is part of a comprehensive effort to strengthen the human resources in the probation system. We are shifting towards more proactive HR approaches that help not only to headhunt people more effectively, but also to create conditions for their professional development and prevent burnout. Ultimately, this has a direct impact on the quality of the entire system’s performance and, in particular, helps to reduce the risk of staff turnover,” noted Viktoriia Kliuch, Head of the Human Resources Department at the State Institution “Probation Centre”.

It should be noted that the first HR school took place in 2024 and was highly praised by its participants. The new training programme in 2026 served as a continuation of this initiative and focused on the practical implementation of changes within HR departments.