Tractor drivers, mechanics and welders among Ukraine’s most wanted workers, survey finds

Blue-collar jobs remain the most in-demand among employers in Ukraine, according to a labor market survey conducted jointly by Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation, the State Employment Service of Ukraine, and the Federation of Employers of Ukraine.

Most sought-after professions for hiring:

→ Tractor operator in agricultural or forestry production
→ Maintenance locksmith
→ Electric and gas welder
→ Electrician for repair and maintenance of electrical equipment
→ Nurse
→ Rolling stock repair technician
→ Motor vehicle driver
→ Seamstress.

This list serves as a guideline for the State Employment Service’s training programs for unemployed individuals and combatants, the report’s authors note.

The survey covered 54,700 employers representing a workforce of approximately 4.2 million people. It was conducted online between December 17, 2024, and January 31, 2025. Companies in the defense sector or located in areas not controlled by the Ukrainian government were excluded.

Sectors with the most significant labor shortages:

→ Water supply – 53%
→ Healthcare – 46.2%
→ Energy – 44.1%
→ Mining – 42%
→ Education – 40%
→ Agriculture – 39%

The lowest hiring intentions for 2025 were reported in the sectors of information and telecommunications, real estate, and professional, scientific, and technical services.

Read also
The State Employment Service has named seven of the rarest professions in the Ukrainian labor market
  • In February 2025, the labor market in Ukraine recovered to 93% of its pre-war level. The average salary grew for the third month in a row, reaching UAH 23,500 in February.
  • The list of the most in-demand professions in Ukraine in 2025 includes the position of a military officer. The defense forces remain one of the key sectors in the labor market.
  • In April, the number of vacancies on Work.ua crossed the 100,000 mark for the first time in five months . The average salary among job offers increased to UAH 24,500.