ІННОВАЦІЙНА КОМПЕТЕНТНІСТЬ ВИКЛАДАЧІВ ЯК ІНСТРУМЕНТ МОДЕРНІЗАЦІЇ ПРОФЕСІЙНОЇ ОСВІТИ
Authors: Радкевич Валентина 
Published: December 2024

The relevance of this article is dictated by the need to develop the innovative competencies of vocational education instructors, considering the dynamic changes in the labor market as well as processes of globalization and digitalization, which actively influence the transformation of the educational system. Modern employers require from professionals not only the presence of professional knowledge but also the ability to adapt to new production conditions, to think critically, and to solve complex tasks. Consequently, vocational education must modernize in response to contemporary challenges, and instructors must be prepared for innovative professional activity to integrate cutting-edge technologies into the educational process.
The aim of this article is to identify and substantiate the key components of the innovative competency of vocational education instructors and contemporary approaches to its development in the context of labor market requirements and technological changes in economic sectors.
Research methods: analysis of scientific sources, legislative and regulatory documents, empirical data to determine the extent of research problem development; surveys for gathering quantitative data on the state of development of the instructors' innovative competencies; semi-structured interviews to identify barriers hindering the integration of new technologies into the educational process; observation for the objective evaluation of instructors' use of innovative approaches in their work; and synthesis and systematization to formulate conclusions, recommendations, and perspectives for further research.
Results: The main components of the innovative competency of vocational education instructors have been identified; traditional and modern approaches to the development of innovative competencies have been substantiated; organizational, psychological, and technological barriers that limit the development of innovative competencies have been identified; modern forms of professional development for vocational education instructors that foster innovative competency have been substantiated; the role of digital technologies in stimulating innovative competency has been revealed; recommendations for enhancing the level of innovative competency of vocational education instructors have been formulated.
Conclusions: The study has determined that the innovative competency of vocational education instructors is a key factor in modernizing the educational process and ensuring its alignment with the contemporary labor market demands. The key components of the instructors' innovative competency include professional knowledge and skills, creative thinking, research skills, skills in pedagogical innovation, communication skills, teamwork and collaboration skills, and adaptability and flexibility. The development of instructors' innovative competency is based on traditional (classical, informational-reproductive) and modern (competency-based, problem-oriented learning, constructivist, project-based, acmeological, interactive, inclusive, digital) approaches. Modern forms of professional development for vocational education instructors that develop innovative competency include short-term courses and trainings; online courses and webinars; coaching and mentorship; participation in international projects; self-development and self-education; internships, etc.
Survey results confirmed the importance of developing digital skills and the ability of instructors to integrate new technologies into the educational process. However, the main obstacles to effective innovation implementation were found to be certain objective and subjective barriers, including insufficient technical support and limited resources, fear of change, and low motivation for professional development. This highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to developing instructors' innovative competency, which includes targeted professional development programs, their support, and stimulation of innovative activity.