Smart-specilization as a prerequisite for the improvement of economic training of vocational education teachers

The article reveals the essence of the socio-economic factors that have caused the introduction of smart-specialization in the economy of Ukraine. Smart-specialization is considered as a new conceptual model of innovative and socio-economic policy in the economic regions of Ukraine, which involves regional specialization within the national economic system. The essence of smart-specialization is analyzed, and the need for corresponding improvement of the content of economic training for future skilled professionals, workers, and vocational educators is analyzed. The necessity of training future vocational education teachers and developing a methodology for fostering entrepreneurial competence within the concept of smart specialization is justified in the research. The article also emphasizes the integration of theory and practice of entrepreneurship in vocational education, the need for higher quality and effective training of modern and motivated expert educators capable of making independent decisions and selecting the most efficient teaching methods considering regional economic aspects for maximizing the opportunities for innovative entrepreneurship development in regions. The author substantiates the necessity to train qualified personnel in vocational education who will meet modern labor market requirements, become competitive and mobile, active agents of professional and entrepreneurial initiative in the country, thereby enhancing the prestige of vocational education not only among the potential learners but also in the society. The author determines the necessity to update the content of educational programs, develop integrated courses in humanities, methodological recommendations and special courses in economic disciplines "Financial Literacy" and "Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship" taking into account the principles of the concept of smart-specialization concept.