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18 Jan. 2025

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In which areas of the Ukrainian labor market is there the greatest shortage of workers?

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In which areas of the Ukrainian labor market is there the greatest shortage of workers?

The current situation in the Ukrainian labor market demonstrates a significant shortage of personnel in highly specialized industries. This is especially true in communication, marketing, engineering, and defense. Find out more about the reasons for this situation and the most popular vacancies

Legal advice on employment of foreigners in Ukraine
Legal advice on employment of foreigners in Ukraine
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Ukraine is facing an acute shortage of personnel in the fields of communications, digital, transportation, and engineering for the defense industry. The main reasons for this are mass migration, the loss of access to specialists in the temporarily occupied territories, and the growing demand in the defense sector.


Employers are actively offering opportunities for professional development and introducing remote work to attract new talent. However, experts predict that the problem of a shortage of qualified specialists in highly specialized fields may remain relevant for a long time, which will require the expansion of educational programs and retraining of personnel.


How does the labor shortage affect business operations in Ukraine?


In Ukraine, labor shortages have become a serious problem for businesses, reaching the worst level since the beginning of the war. According to the Institute for Economic Research, the talent pool has decreased by 30% compared to 2021, and the number of vacancies continues to grow.


At the end of 2024, a record 120 thousand vacancies were registered, which is 33% more than at the beginning of the year. The staff shortage is particularly acute in telecommunications (45% increase in the number of vacancies) and healthcare (34%). However, many people cannot find a job for a long time due to staff turnover and specific requirements of employers.


The biggest shortages are among teachers, doctors, pharmacists, drivers, and in the construction, transportation, and manufacturing sectors. For example, in the transportation and logistics industry, the shortage of drivers reaches 25%. Most of these professions require significant training time and have traditionally been considered “male”. For example, to combat the shortage of personnel, for the first time in the history of the Kharkiv subway, a woman began to drive an electric train.


Earlier, we told you that Ukraine is launching a state program of free training for women in traditionally male-dominated professions.


Raising salaries does not always solve the problem. In the second quarter of 2024, the average salary in Ukraine increased by 22.1% to UAH 20,964, but there are simply no qualified workers.




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Reasons for the shortage of workers in Ukraine


After the pandemic and the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the labor market in Ukraine is showing signs of recovery, but the structure of supply and demand has changed significantly. A number of industries are experiencing an acute shortage of staff, driven by both external and internal factors.


One of the main reasons for the shortage is the migration of skilled workers. Many specialists left the country because of the war and are now abroad as temporary migrants. Their return is possible only after the situation stabilizes. At the same time, the loss of access to specialists from the temporarily occupied territories creates an additional imbalance in the market.


Another important factor is the growing need in the defense industry. The demand for engineers, technicians, and other specialists who can work in the defense sector has increased significantly. This puts significant pressure on the labor market, as training such personnel takes time and resources.


In our previous article, we told you that the State Employment Service of Ukraine and its partners have created a new application for job search in Ukraine.


Which industries have the biggest shortage of workers?


There is a significant shortage of personnel in several important areas in Ukraine, which makes it difficult for businesses to develop and meet market needs.


The main industries with a shortage of specialists are:

1. Communications and PR. Communications and public relations professionals are key to creating a positive image of companies, maintaining media relations, and organizing internal communications. The demand for such specialists remains consistently high;

2. Digital technologies. Experts in internet marketing, SEO, social media, and content management are becoming increasingly in demand. The expansion of the online presence of companies stimulates the demand for these specialists;

3. Marketing. In a competitive market, there is a growing need for marketers who can effectively promote goods and services. However, the number of qualified specialists remains insufficient;

4. Business development. Specialists involved in the creation and implementation of business strategies play an important role in the expansion of companies. Their shortage has a significant impact on market dynamics;

5. Sales. Companies are experiencing a shortage of qualified sales managers, especially in the face of declining purchasing power;

6. Defense industry. Engineers capable of working with modern technologies and materials have become critically important. Training such specialists takes time, which makes it difficult to meet the growing demand.


In our previous article, we mentioned that unemployed Ukrainians can take advantage of temporary employment through public works.


Has the employers' approach to hiring changed?


Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the labor market in Ukraine has been showing a gradual recovery, but the demand for certain specialists is much higher than the supply. This creates favorable conditions for qualified candidates, while making it more difficult for employers to find staff.

To attract specialists, companies are actively offering opportunities for professional training and development. Remote work is growing in popularity, allowing companies to hire employees from different regions and even countries.


If you are a foreigner and plan to find a job in Ukraine, our lawyers are ready to help you with all the necessary documents. We will provide advice on Ukrainian labor law, prepare work permits, obtain temporary or permanent residence permits, and resolve any other legal issues. Contact Visit Ukraine lawyers via WhatsApp, Telegram or the form on the website.


Despite this, the shortage of personnel in technical and highly specialized industries remains a serious problem. Experts believe that its solution will take time, as restoring human resources in a time of war is a complex process.


What are the most important skills shortages in the Ukrainian labor market?


As of December 2024, the Ukrainian labor market demonstrates a high demand for skilled workers, particularly in manufacturing and transportation. According to the State Employment Service (SES), the number of vacancies in the category of skilled workers with tools significantly exceeds the number of applicants - 12.8 thousand versus 9.6 thousand.


On Work.ua, the most popular category remains “Working specialties, production” with more than 19.5 thousand vacancies. Nevertheless, analysts recorded a 7% decrease in offers in this category compared to October. At the same time, the category “Safety and Security” showed an increase, in particular for such positions as police officers, drone operators, communications specialists, and mortar operators.


Industrial enterprises are experiencing a shortage of specialists with specific technical skills. For example, 600 vacancies were posted for electric and gas welders, but only 299 applicants met the requirements.


The situation is similar for other professions:

- Turners: 402 vacancies for 90 candidates. Employers are looking for specialists with experience on different types of machines and drawing skills;

- CNC machine operators: 220 offers for 54 applicants. Preference is given to specialists with experience in CAD/CAM programs;

- Milling operators: 159 vacancies for 23 applicants. Skills in working on universal machines and knowledge of drawings are required.


There is also a significant shortage of personnel in the transportation sector:

- Motor vehicle drivers: 2524 vacancies for 2437 applicants. Employers are looking for specialists for freight transportation and public transportation;

- Forklift drivers: 273 offers for 70 applicants. The work involves cargo warehousing operations;

- Trolleybus drivers: 77 vacancies for 16 applicants. Employers are willing to train candidates, offering a salary during the internship.


In general, some vacancies require training, which opens up employment opportunities for less experienced candidates. In the transportation sector, for example, in Kyiv, driver trainees are offered a salary of UAH 8 thousand during training and up to UAH 19 thousand for experienced professionals. This demonstrates the willingness of employers to invest in new staff.


We remind you! Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, more than 8 million Ukrainians have moved abroad. They have to not only arrange their lives and everyday life in a new country, but also quickly look for work. Read more about the easiest European countries for Ukrainians to find a job in, the salaries they can expect, and the documents they need to apply for a job.


Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.




We recommend purchasing it for a safe and comfortable trip to Ukraine: 


Visit Ukraine Insurance – insurance covering military risks for entry and travel in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Car Insurance – car insurance with extended coverage in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Legal Advice – comprehensive legal support on entry to Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Tickets – bus and train tickets to/from Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Tours – the largest online database of tours to Ukraine for every taste;

Visit Ukraine Hotels – hotels for a comfortable stay in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Merch – patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.




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asked questions

Which industries are most affected by the shortage of personnel in Ukraine?

Communications, digital technologies, marketing, defense, transportation, and manufacturing are the main areas with a shortage of employees. These industries have the highest demand for highly specialized professionals.

Why is there a shortage of personnel in Ukraine?

What professions are most in demand now?

How do employers solve the problem of staff shortages?

How can foreigners get a job in Ukraine?

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