Denys Marchuk, Deputy Chairman of the Ukrainian Agri Council (UAC), spoke at the Second International Scientific and Practical Conference Labor Market Balance, dedicated to the study of the labor market in Ukraine and the return of Ukrainians from abroad.

In his speech, he emphasized that the shortage of personnel in the agricultural sector began in 2014, after the outbreak of the war.  The UAC has been looking for ways to keep the population in the villages, and one of the key solutions was to involve young people in agricultural education.

“We have opened the Ukrainian Agricultural Lyceum, which has been operating since 2017. Our graduates work in the agricultural sector. Today, it is extremely important to invest in education, as the generation that remains in Ukraine needs to see economic prospects. That is why we are developing the AgroSphere educational program, which has been implemented in 15 regions. This school subject gives young people the opportunity to gain the necessary knowledge, skills and vision of career growth in the agricultural sector. We want to show young people that agriculture is not only important, but also interesting, modern and promising,” said Marchuk.

At the same time, the agricultural sector has faced a second wave of employees lack due to the mobilization of men after the full-scale invasion.

“As our country needs to be defended, we are engaging women and war veterans to work in the agricultural sector. Nowadays, women actively work in agricultural companies as agronomists, drivers, drone operators, and production managers. We are also working on adaptation programs for veterans: upon their return, they can join the agricultural sector through training programs, entrepreneurship, or employment on farms. Our goal is to provide them not only with jobs but also with opportunities for development,” emphasized Marchuk.