Welders in Ukraine are already being paid over 100,000 hryvnias: Parliament announces changes in the labor market
28 May 17:45
The salaries of Ukrainian welders and electricians already exceed the incomes of most lawyers and economists.
This was stated in an exclusive comment to "Komersant Ukrainian" by Dmytro Kysilevsky, a member of parliament and deputy chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Economic Development.
According to him, the rapidly growing labor shortage in the manufacturing sector and the defense industry is radically changing the Ukrainian labor market.
“Welders and electricians are already earning significantly more than most lawyers or economists. I was recently at a factory in Odesa where welders earn 110,000 hryvnias a month,” Kysilevsky said.
He noted that the greatest demand is currently for CNC machine operators, engineers, rocket and drone designers, as well as specialists in the machine-building industry.
What the labor market currently offers
According to Work.ua, the average salary for a welder in Ukraine is currently around 36,000–37,500 hryvnias, which is more than 20% higher than last year. At the same time, there are hundreds of open positions for such specialists on the market. At the same time, the labor shortage has already become a systemic problem for the Ukrainian economy. According to market estimates, about 75% of companies are experiencing a shortage of workers, and filling vacancies is becoming increasingly difficult.
According to Kysilevsky, the situation can be changed through reform of vocational and technical education and closer cooperation between businesses and educational institutions.
“For decades, society has held the view that vocational schools are a symbol of a choice made out of desperation. But over the past few years, the situation has been changing rapidly,” the deputy emphasized.
He also mentioned the state program “100 Workshops,” under which vocational schools are being modernized using budget funds and contributions from international donors. According to the deputy, companies have already been given the opportunity to influence curricula through supervisory boards in order to adapt education to the real needs of the market.
Kysilevsky believes that to overcome the labor crisis, Ukraine must not only modernize education but also create conditions for Ukrainians to return from abroad. Among the key factors, he cited safety, housing, and employment.
