NGO “Progressive and Strong” presented the study results on economic activity and the labor market in Odesa region

On January 24, Odesa hosted a large-scale public event “Economic Activity and the Labor Market in the Odesa Region. How to Improve Employment While Supporting IDPs?” organized by the NGO “Progressive and Strong”. The partners of the event were the Odesa Region Employers’ Association, the Southern Qualification Center, and the State Employment Service. The event was held within the framework of the project “Employment for Economic Recovery of Southern Ukraine”, which is being implemented by the NGO “Progressive and Strong” in partnership with Cegos Group (France) and Stichting Glocalshift Foundation (Netherlands).

The event brought together about a hundred participants - representatives of state and local authorities, business, NGOs, analysts and internally displaced persons (IDPs). In total, the event was attended by about 100 participants.

Oleksiy DMYTRENKO, Director of the Department of Economic Policy and Strategic Planning of the Odesa Oblast State Administration, Vitaliy BARVINENKO, Head of the Odesa District Council, and Bohdan FERENS, founder of the NGO “Progressive and Strong”, welcomed the participants.

The main event and purpose of the meeting was the presentation of an analytical report based on the results of a study of economic activity and the labor market in Odesa region. The presentation included an overview of the region's economic activity, labor market analysis, the social impact of the war, information on wages and working conditions in Odesa region, as well as the results of surveys conducted among IDPs and businesses.

How did the war change the labor market in Odesa region?

Among the key findings, it was noted that the war has significantly disrupted the economic landscape, severely affecting employment dynamics. The loss of critical infrastructure, displacement of people, and the need to ensure business continuity in extreme conditions hampered the labor market recovery. However, these challenges have contributed to increased resilience, and businesses have demonstrated their ability to adapt by prioritizing retraining and skills development.

Only a third part of respondents in the survey conducted by the NGO “Progressive and Strong” expressed readiness for retraining. At the same time, there is a clear interest in high-demand professions such as drivers, builders, electricians, mechanics, painters, and seamstresses.

In the IDP survey, interest in retraining for manual labor was noticeably low. Instead, respondents showed significant interest in careers in IT and the beauty industry. This is because IT roles are associated with high salaries, and the beauty industry is seen as an area where you can get a qualification relatively quickly with the prospect of decent earnings.

Employers face difficulties in finding qualified employees for permanent positions (84%). The main problems are low qualifications of candidates, motivation, and cultural fit. On the positive side, most private entrepreneurs are willing to invest in on-the-job training.

All employers surveyed (100%) expressed their willingness to hire IDPs, recognizing their potential contribution to the labor market. However, barriers remain, such as lack of housing and insufficient skills.

Customer service skills are in the highest demand, emphasizing the importance of customer relations as a key factor in business competitiveness.

Despite the challenges, businesses in Odesa region have demonstrated resilience and adaptability, including through additional incentives such as adaptation assistance and support for IDPs.

A separate part of the event was a public discussion of the socio-economic situation in Odesa region and employment opportunities in the context of the Russian war. The participants were: Svitlana MYKHAILOVA, Director of the Department of Economic Policy and Strategic Planning of the Odesa Regional State Administration; Tetiana KANAVA, Director of the Odesa Branch of the Odesa Regional Employment Center; Raisa HORSHKOLIEOVA, Representative of the Department of Labor and Social Policy of the Odesa City Council; Kostyantyn ZHURAVEL, Chairman of the Board of the Odesa Region Employers’ Association; Oleksandr SYVAK, President of Strategic Ukraine LLC and CEO of “Shipping Journal” and Lydia NAUMENKO, Head Representative of the IDPs Organization in Odesa Region.

Another part of the event was devoted to practical skills useful for IDPs in the process of retraining and employment. Valuable advice was provided by HR entrepreneur, Director of the Human Capital Department of the Employers’ Association, and founder of the “Career Center” Oksana TURCHYNA, who spoke about strengthening stakeholder coordination in the field of employment.

They discussed the main problematic issues faced by IDPs in finding employment in the Odesa region.
The participants of the event identified the following main problems:

1) insufficient qualifications or mismatch of professional skills with labor market requirements - many IDPs need retraining, but the level of readiness for training remains low and not flexible, and employers face difficulties in finding specialists with the necessary competencies;
2) housing and social barriers - lack of stable housing and difficulties with adaptation in the new environment complicate the possibility of long-term employment, as employers are often looking for employees for permanent positions.

Particular attention was paid to psychological support for IDPs, and in the format of a “live microphone”, IDPs from Kherson, Luhansk and Donetsk regions who now live in Odesa Oblast were able to share their life stories and experiences of adaptation and employment.

Practical opportunities for IDPs: what's next?

The participants concluded that supporting IDP employment is an important component of the region's economic recovery. The development of training programs, tax incentives for employers, provision of housing, and active interaction between the government, business, and the public sector are key aspects that need to be implemented in the near future.

Internally displaced persons were presented with retraining opportunities and a list of professions. Open registration was also launched for IDPs and business representatives willing to employ the selected participants, and the first 10 selected participants received vouchers for retraining.

NGO “Progressive and Strong” will continue to work on expanding employment opportunities for IDPs and developing economic activity in the Odesa region. After all, the development of the labor market in Odesa region and support for IDPs will contribute to the economic stability of the region, business recovery and integration of displaced persons into society. This will ensure budget revenues, reduce unemployment and increase social cohesion.

If you or someone you know is looking for training and retraining opportunities, we invite you to join the program!