In the wake of Russia’s invasion, which has drastically impacted Ukraine‘s workforce, businesses are adapting by hiring more women and young people to address critical labour shortages. Liliia Shulha, who recently transitioned from “boring, sedentary” office roles to her dream job as a truck driver with Ukraine’s leading retailer, Fozzy Group, exemplifies this shift.
Shulha, who has always been fascinated by vehicles, seized the opportunity to drive trucks—a role traditionally dominated by men. “I always dreamed about big cars. Instead of playing with dolls, I drove cars when I was a child,” she told Reuters. At 40, Shulha represents a growing trend where women are filling roles that were once predominantly occupied by men.
The war with Russia has left Ukraine grappling with a severe labour crisis. Millions have fled the country, primarily women and children, while tens of thousands of men have been mobilised into the army. According to central bank data, Ukraine has lost over a quarter of its workforce since the conflict began in February 2022. An economy ministry survey of over 3,000 companies reveals that nearly 60% of businesses consider finding skilled workers their primary challenge.
“The situation is indeed critical,” remarked Tetiana Petruk, chief sustainability officer at Metinvest, a major steel company. Metinvest alone has around 4,000 vacancies. Petruk highlighted the impact of staff shortages on production and noted that companies across the regions face similar challenges.
To address these issues, Ukrainian businesses are implementing several strategies. They are revising recruitment practices, automating processes, expanding job descriptions, and re-hiring retirees. Increased wages have also become a key component in attracting and retaining staff. The average monthly wage has risen to about 20,000 hryvnias ($470), compared to around 14,500 a year ago.
There is also a noticeable shift away from traditional biases in hiring. The Kyiv School of Economics reports that gender and age biases are diminishing as employers adjust their criteria to attract necessary employees. This change is not only affecting employment but also entrepreneurship, with a growing share of female entrepreneurs.
Male-dominated industries like construction, transport, and mining are particularly affected by staff shortages. The Ukrainian government is providing full or partial deferrals from military service for critical sectors, but the process remains complex. The number of men seeking informal employment to avoid mobilisation has increased.
In response, companies are training women for roles traditionally held by men. In Mykolayiv, women are being trained as tractor drivers, while others are taking on roles as tram and truck drivers, coal miners, and security guards. Lyubov Ukrainets, human resources director at Silpo, part of Fozzy Group, mentioned that the company now has six female truck drivers and is actively recruiting women for various positions.
The steel industry, too, is seeing a rise in female employees. Petruk reported that women now make up about 30-35% of Metinvest’s workforce, with some hired for underground jobs—a role previously reserved for men.
Young people are also becoming a focal point in recruitment strategies. Businesses are offering training and job experience to teenagers and students. Metinvest is increasingly collaborating with professional colleges, while Silpo has launched internship programmes for students and is hiring teenagers for entry-level supermarket jobs. Vodafone has introduced a youth programme to provide job experience for around 50 teenagers across 12 cities.
To support these initiatives, the Ukrainian government and foreign partners have launched several reskilling programmes. Tetiana Berezhna, a deputy economy minister, stated that state-funded opportunities are available for Ukrainians to acquire new, in-demand professions or enhance their skills.
As Ukraine navigates the challenges of war, these adaptive strategies are crucial for sustaining the economy and preparing for post-war recovery. The evolving labour market reflects the resilience and flexibility of Ukrainian businesses and their commitment to overcoming the current crisis.