This work is aimed at detection of factors promoting improvement of efficient teacher-audience interaction upon distance learning. This work discusses such issues as efficiency of presentation and absorption of material in the taught disciplines, characteristics of organization conditions of audience work. The attention is paid to advantages and disadvantages of distance learning for programs of vocational retraining. This article also analyzes the necessity to upgrade engineering and methodological support of education, which agrees with the trends of progress in implementation of University 4.0 model. The research was based on sociological surveying, which provided sufficiently complete pattern of attitudes of students in vocational retraining programs to distance learning during the pandemic. On the basis of this research, it has been concluded that most students positively assessed the distance learning platforms provided by the university. At the same time, it is sufficiently difficult to concentrate attention during 1.5 hours, which forced the teacher to search for mixed forms of education, alternating practical assignments or video clips with theoretical material. It has been concluded that the distance learning is an efficient measure of protection against coronavirus, though, under usual conditions, the students prefer resident course.