Ukraine’s future economic recovery hinges on people and places: where jobs are, where workers live, and how fast skills can be built for critical roles. This series, produced by IREX with EasyBusiness, translates some of the latest labor-market data from Ukraine into actionable guidance for funders, employers, and implementers. The series focuses on five key sectors: Construction, Logistics, Energy, Manufacturing, and Technology. These are sectors where smart, targeted investments can drive Ukraine’s economic rebuilding. 

Our guiding question in developing these profiles was: How can Ukraine close urgent workforce gaps while also improving long-term economic resilience?

What’s inside:

• Concise sector snapshots with labor-demand trends, regional data, and priority workforce roles
• Evidence from local labor market researchers with access to survey data, interviews, and official statistics
• Pipeline diagnostics: where education-to-employment pathways break down and potential solutions
• Practical recommendations: including youth workforce programming, mobility supports, short intensive trainings, targeted incentives, and apprenticeship/mentorship models

Featured resources

Construction: Rebuilding the workforce that rebuilds the country

Operating at about 60% of pre-war capacity, the construction sector faces approximately 2.4 openings per available candidate, with shortages most acute in western Ukraine hubs like Lviv. Potential solutions include mobile training units, temporary housing and childcare, and standardized micro-credentials for essential site skills to increase worker productivity.

Logistics: Unclogging the route to recovery

Freight transport is rebounding (+3% in 2023; +18% in early 2024), but vacancies are high in Kyiv and Lviv while surplus jobseekers remain in eastern Ukraine. Proposed solutions include “Move-to-Work” incentives plus 3–6 week employer-codesigned bootcamps for drivers and warehouse roles with committed job offers.

Energy: Specialized skills for grid reliability and a cleaner future

Only about 25% of pre-war energy generation capacity remains after targeted military attacks, and shortages in electricians, dispatchers, and digital systems specialists threaten both electrical grid reliability and modernization. Priorities for donors and outside investors should include curriculum upgrades, regional training hubs, and mentorship or apprenticeship models in renewables and smart-grid operations.

Manufacturing: Diverging paths between heavy and light industry

The metallurgy sector is facing 4.6 vacancies per candidate and steep employment losses, while the textiles sector (light industry) has adapted and transitioned to new production centers in central and western Ukraine. Gender-responsive, localized training and mobility supports—especially for women and IDPs—could unlock short-term hiring and more sustainable supply-chain readiness.

Technology: From junior oversupply to experienced talent pipelines

Tech remains an export engine for Ukraine, but employers report strain in experienced roles—database/cybersecurity engineers, telecom engineers, system admins, and testing/dev specialists—while junior pipelines are saturated. Potential solutions including employer-partnered bootcamps and paid apprenticeships can accelerate junior-to-mid progression where it’s needed most.

Interested in Learning More?

Download the full set of briefs, request a briefing with an IREX expert, or partner with us to design employer-led pathways, mobility supports, and measurement plans.