Ukraine’s economic structure has shifted under the impact of the pandemic and the war. According to Ella Libanova, director of the Institute for Demography and Social Studies, the role of the production sector is growing and attitudes toward non‑office work must change.
She noted that today’s economy is fundamentally different from the pre‑2020 period, with lower demand for sales managers and higher demand in the real sector.
Libanova also pointed to a mismatch between employer expectations and employee aspirations: employers need teamwork skills, while employees focus on leadership skills.
Another challenge is the persistent bias against blue‑collar professions. Despite the economy’s need for real‑sector specialists, many young people still aim for office jobs and view non‑office work as less prestigious.
