Vocational Education in the Kherson Governorate of the Russian Empire (the XVIII century end – the XX century beginning)

Abstract

The article deals with evolution of vocational schools in the Kherson Governorate of the Russian Empire. The research comprises the period from the 18th century end till the 20th century beginning.Within the given period, the Kherson Governorate founded leading educational institutions to prepare highly-skilled ship and train engineers, craftsmen, etc. for southern state regions.As an example, the Kherson Governorate unfolded a range of comprehensive vocational schools in ship engineering. The main hub of these activities was Mykolaiv.Besides, reforms provided a system of sea trade education. It was subdivided into institutions of several levels: sea trade schools of mechanical engineering, schools of long and short sailing, two-grade and basic schools. These entities provided commercial ships of sea and river sailing with specialists. The disadvantage of such a system was a small number of institutions to prepare marine engineers.Also, there were new vocational schools in railway engineering (to operate trains and construct tracks).Vocational schools of the Kherson Governorate corresponded to the Russian Empire development. Their main task was to provide the region with enough skilled specialists for local relevant industries. Simultaneously, the 20th century beginning showed an obvious inability of regional educational institutions to satisfy economy needs. Therefore, vocational schools required further improving.