Ukraine is entering a period of intensification of the already acute shortage of workers. In the coming years, employers will be looking for hundreds of thousands of builders, engineers, doctors, technologists, welders, electricians, equipment operators and other technical specialists. It is precisely these professions that the state has identified as priorities, because by 2036 the economy will need approximately 1.7 million more workers than in 2025.

This was announced by the head of the Parliamentary Committee on Education, Science and Innovation Sergei Babak (“Servant of the People”). This is how he commented on the new system for forecasting labor market needs.

He explained that the new model does not mean that the state will determine exactly what Ukrainians should work or prohibit entry into certain professions.. According to him, we are talking about strategic planning. For the first time, government orders in educational institutions are planned to be formed taking into account the long-term forecast of the needs of the economy, and not just the requests of the universities themselves.

At the same time, assessment of future demand will become one of the key guidelines, but not the only criterion when determining the number of budget places. Thus, the state expects to gradually adapt the education system to the needs of the post-war economy, reconstruction of the country and integration into the European Union.

According to the results of economic modeling, the number of people employed in the economy should grow from 12.9 million people in 2025 to 14.6 million in 2036. That is, the economy will need about 1.7 million more workers than now. However, the forecast regarding the need for new personnel is even larger. Due to economic growth, national recovery, retirement, migration and other demographic factors, Ukraine will need to attract about 2.62 million new workers in 2032-2036.

At the same time, it will not be possible to cover this demand only with university and vocational technician graduates.. According to Babak, this will also require the return of part of the economically inactive population to work and the return of part of Ukrainians from abroad.

The greatest demand is predicted for skilled workers in manufacturing professions. In particular, the greatest need is expected for:.

Separately, a significant increase in demand is predicted for engineers, technologists, operators of modern equipment, quality control specialists, architects, designers, infrastructure project managers, as well as medical workers, rehabilitation specialists, psychological assistance and social support.

One of the main drivers of the labor market will be the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine. Therefore, according to the forecast, the number of people employed in construction may more than double – from approximately 520 thousand. workers in 2025 to 1.24 million in 2036. This is associated with the restoration of housing, transport, energy and social infrastructure.

Also almost 400 thousand. people, the need for workers in the processing industry will increase.

At the same time, the demand for professional, scientific and technical specialties will increase significantly - from engineering services and design to scientific research and consulting..

At the same time, a sharp increase in the number of employees is not predicted in the IT sector. The people's deputy explains this by the high productivity of the industry and the fact that digital competencies are increasingly becoming necessary in almost all professions.