IREX, in partnership with the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham), gathered key stakeholders from across Ukraine’s human capital ecosystem to discuss the country's most urgent employment challenges and opportunities. The discussion, inspired by an ongoing IREX survey on employers’ hiring difficulties and possible solutions, highlighted how Ukraine can build on its existing strength to improve the workforce. 

Amidst an unprecedented human capital crisis spurred by Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, representatives from Ukraine's business community, government, NGOs, and educational institutions gathered to explore strategies to support and adapt the Ukrainian labor market. The discussion was moderated by Ludmyla Golynska, Human Resources Director, Carlsberg Ukraine and AmCham’s Human Capital Committee Co-Chair, and Santiago Sedaca, Executive Vice President for Strategy and Development, IREX. 

Ongoing survey findings have revealed that the most pressing challenges for businesses include a lack of qualified candidates; intense competition for workers, mobilization of workers into military service, and fear among potential employees that joining the workforce could lead to mobilization. A representative from the Union of Ukrainian Entrepreneurs (SUP), explained the additional burdens faced by small and medium sized businesses, who are essential to Ukraine’s economy but often lack resources or know-how for proactively addressing their challenges.  

Within this framework, discussants examined various ways to invest in education and training to develop a more qualified workforce by creating upskilling and reskilling programs, sharing examples of collaboration between educational institutions and businesses to ensure students acquire skills that employers need, and highlighting the need to better align vocational institutions with local business needs, according to sectors and specific skillsets. 

 IREX’s partner, Deloitte, also presented insights from its recent strategy document “Investing in Ukraine’s Human Capital: How to Rebuild and Reimagine the Workforce,” emphasizing a comprehensive strategy that includes both immediate and long-term actions, as well as local and international support. 

Inclusion emerged as a key strategy to strengthen Ukraine’s labor market. Suggested approaches include investing in workplace accessibility to accommodate persons with disabilities, supporting youth as they transition into the workforce, and encouraging greater women’s participation in the economy. Expanding psychosocial support programs for employees was also highlighted to manage stress and boost productivity. Additionally, several employers expressed a strong commitment to increasing opportunities for veterans, recognizing their inclusion as crucial for adapting to ongoing labor market changes. 

Ukraine’s potential for global leadership in technological development was also highlighted. Participants discussed strategies for investment in digital skills among the workforce and technological development for businesses as a way to build Ukraine's long-term resilience and position in the global economy. 

By gathering diverse stakeholders, the event not only revealed the most urgent challenges and needs within Ukraine's human capital crisis, but also uncovered innovative solutions stakeholders are already implementing to address labor market challenges. 

Several businesses shared their successes creating in-house training programs and increasing flexible, part time, or temporary work opportunities. Others shared resources and initiatives available to support businesses as they adapt to labor market changes. For example, IREX and its partner Veteran Hub shared their "Praktika" guide, a resource already used by major employers around the country to build effective policies and corporate culture to integrate employees with military experience. A representative from Beetroot Academy also shared its efforts to support employees across sectors in developing digital skills.  

These examples energized participants - from business, civil society, education, and government - to engage in more comprehensive and coordinated collaboration as a critical step towards ensuring Ukraine's long-term prosperity and resilience in the face of unprecedented challenge and ongoing change.