Three years of war: Ukraine’s resilience, Europe’s support, and the future of skills and employment

As we mark the third year of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine's determination remains unshaken. Despite the severe impact on education, employment, and workforce development, the country has adapted, innovated, and formed key alliances to keep learning accessible, skills evolving, and economic stability sustained.

Throughout this crisis, Europe has stood firmly alongside Ukraine as its largest supporter and ally, providing more than €134 billion in humanitarian, economic, and military aid.  The European Training Foundation (ETF), along with the European Union (EU) and other international partners, has been instrumental in helping Ukraine strengthen its education and training systems, support workers and businesses, and lay the foundations for a green and digital recovery. In the face of adversity, skills are not just a tool for recovery—they are the engine driving Ukraine toward recovery, growth, and a future of new opportunities.

Transforming education in Ukraine: innovation, resilience, and reform

Education in Ukraine has faced unprecedented disruption since the start of the war.  More than 3,970 schools and 151 vocational education and training (VET) centers have been damaged or destroyed, resulting in an estimated €6.8 billion ($7.3 billion) in infrastructure losses. Yet, instead of coming to a standstill, Ukraine has reinvented its approach to learning, leveraging innovation and international partnerships to keep education on track.

From subterranean, bomb-proof schools to the rapid expansion of digital learning, Ukraine is finding new ways to deliver uninterrupted education. The Diia.Digital Education platform has already provided over 1.3 million people with training in essential digital skills, while EU-funded initiatives such as Skills4Recovery are supporting both young and adult learners in requalifying for the workforce. The development of short-term courses and flexible learning programmes such as micro-credentials are equipping workers with competences and qualifications that directly address critical labour shortages and emerging industry demands. In parallel, through the UA Re-Emerge(ncy) programme, the ETF is gathering high-quality, updated vocational and professional e-learning materials from the EU and other neighbouring countries, ensuring that displaced learners can continue their education in safer regions.  

At the policy level, Ukraine has reinforced its commitment to education reform and future workforce development through the launch of its Strategic Action Plan 2027 - Education of Winners. As well as focusing on digital transformation, qualification frameworks, and private-public partnerships in education, the planned development of 10 Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) by 2026 is an ambitious target, expected to spearhead best practice and innovation throughout the VET system. These centers will be instrumental in aligning vocational skills education with Ukraine’s future workforce needs, focusing on sectors such as construction, technology, and renewable energy—industries critical to the country’s post-war recovery. The ETF’s ongoing support in developing green skills and digital training will play a pivotal role in ensuring that learners and workers will be equipped for jobs in emerging sectors.

Beyond ensuring education continuity in times of crisis, Ukraine’s VET modernisation efforts are also integral to the country’s EU accession process, which was accelerated following Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Through the EU-funded programme, Supporting Education Reforms and Skills in the Eastern Partnership Region, the ETF is assisting Ukraine in aligning its education and training system system with EU standards. The ETF’s approach is built on the understanding that education, skills development, and labour market policies must work together to drive sustainable recovery and EU integration. ETF helps ensure that its interventions address immediate recovery and reform needs, as well as long-term preparation for the future. Creating a mutually reinforcing system of human capital development means improvements in education, training, and employment service provision support each other, fostering long-term economic resilience.

Ukraine’s changing labour market: Challenges and adaptations amidst crisis

The war in Ukraine has upended the labour market, triggering a series of challenges that threaten economic stability and workforce sustainability. With over six million Ukrainian refugees in Europe and beyond and 3.6 million internally displaced, the combined effects of military conscription and migration have reduced the workforce by more than a quarter. Skills mismatch and inactivity are creating a knock-on effect for businesses, an estimated 43% of which struggle to find workers with the skills they need.

Yet, amidst these disruptions, new opportunities for women, young people, veterans, and retirees have emerged. The State Employment Service (SES) has responded with a series of forward-thinking measures, shifting beyond traditional unemployment benefits to proactive labour market support, including self-employment grants. Through outreach programmes, career counselling, wage subsidies, and specialised training for displaced workers, the SES is ensuring that the current job crisis does not derail long-term recovery. Expanded vocational training programmes and training vouchersare equipping workers with new competencies, while targeted strategies are integrating veterans and persons with disabilities into the workforce. By mid-2024, the SES had provided employment assistance to 93,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 47,000 successfully securing jobs—demonstrating the effectiveness of these extended support measures.

Ukraine believes that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) lie at the heart of its economic recovery, playing a pivotal role in job creation, innovation, and regional development. Key measures of its comprehensive SME strategy include micro-grants for entrepreneurs, targeted support for women, veterans, and displaced persons, and initiatives to boost exports and attract foreign investment. Collaboration with international partners, such as the SME Resilience Alliance, and the implementation of new upskilling and work-based learning programmes for both young and adult learners, are fostering a dynamic, adaptable business ecosystem, essential for long-term economic stability and recovery.

Young people are also central to shaping Ukraine’s future and driving its recovery, and the government is taking bold steps to support youth employment and reintegration. In July 2024, a working group was established to prepare the implementation of EU’s Youth Guarantee, bringing together experts from key ministries and the SES to create clear pathways to jobs, skills training, and education for unemployed, inactive, and displaced youth. With many young people having left the country, the government wants to encourage their return by offering employment and career development support. Such youth employment initiatives, SME development, and labour market reforms mean that Ukraine is not just addressing the challenges of war—it is laying the foundation for a more inclusive and future-ready economy. 

Planning for the future: Workforce readiness for reconstruction

Even amid conflict, Ukraine is actively planning for its post-war reconstruction.  As part of the Ukraine Plan 2024-2027, the government has laid out a comprehensive reform and investment strategy to rebuild infrastructure, modernise the economy, and support integration into the European Union. In turn, the EU’s €50 billion Ukraine Facility will play a vital role in financing education, skills training, and employment programmes to ensure the country has the talent it needs to rebuild sustainably. And the focus on skills doesn’t stop there. At the 2024 Ukraine Recovery Conference, the ETF, alongside international organisations, governments, and businesses from over 50 countries made a strong commitment on skills development. International partners committed to a €700 million funding package aimed at upskilling workers, reintegrating women into the workforce, and retraining those affected by the war. This initiative, known as the Skills Alliance, will help Ukraine to deliver an inclusive ‘skills guarantee’ and support its journey towards future EU membership. The next Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 in July will provide another opportunity for the ETF, EU, and other international partners to determine the next steps to secure the swift recovery and long-term reconstruction of Ukraine.

The way ahead: navigating uncertainty on the road to recovery

As war continues, the situation on the ground continues to evolve rapidly, shaped by unpredictable geopolitical decisions and shifting dynamics. The trajectory of recovery, education, and workforce development remains intricately tied to these unfolding events demanding agility and resilience from all stakeholders. While Ukraine’s commitment to skills, innovation, and economic renewal remains steadfast, its future will be influenced by both internal progress and the broader geopolitical landscape. The coming months will be pivotal in determining how Ukraine, with the support of its international allies, can sustain its momentum and secure a stable and prosperous path forward, with EU integration at its core.

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