MENU
back
en
  1. Home
  2. News
  3. Rebuilding Ukraine’s Workforce: EdUP Project Partnerships in Action

Rebuilding Ukraine’s Workforce: EdUP Project Partnerships in Action 

Ukraine
Upskilling and Reskilling
03.02.2025
In the shadow of war, Ukraine's labor market faces a huge challenge: the skilled workers needed to sustain and grow industries are in short supply. Many have left the country, seeking safety for themselves and their families, while others are serving on the front lines. For companies trying to rebuild amid these challenges, the workforce shortage is an obstacle they cannot afford. Yet, companies like Ecosoft, Paton International, and Glas Trösch are turning to a powerful solution: the EdUP project, which connects them to vocational schools and helps equip students for the workforce. 

Ukrainian company Ecosoft is a leader in the production of water filters. In March 2022, the company’s workshop was destroyed due to Russian artillery shelling, damaging the finished goods warehouse and other facilities. Ecosoft has since been rebuilt and resumed operations, but the company now faces a shortage of personnel as some employees have left the country, and 10% of the staff has been mobilized. To address this, Ecosoft is looking to vocational school graduates to fill workforce gaps. However, there is a challenge, as Yurii Chechaylyuk, the company’s COO, explains: 

Yurii Chechaylyuk 
Chief Operating Officer, Ecosoft LLC 
"Young workers from vocational schools require resources for training and adaptation, which is a cost for the company, especially as we aim to grow."
Yurii Chechaylyuk 
Chief Operating Officer, Ecosoft LLC 

To address this challenge, Ecosoft has begun partnering with vocational schools, recently hosting a training session for 22 plumbing instructors.  

"The first training seminar aims to spread knowledge on water purification systems to students in vocational schools across Ukraine. We hope that by training the instructors, they can, in turn, educate the youth."
Yurii Chechaylyuk 
Chief Operating Officer, Ecosoft LLC 

The result, the labor market will gain qualified graduates ready to work in companies without the need for additional training. 

Another project partner, Paton International, produces 65 types of welding machines for various welding methods. The war has significantly impacted on its operations, with many staff members leaving the country and others being mobilized. 

Serhii Derzheruk 
Sales Director, Paton International LLC 
"Each department is understaffed by 20 to 30%, so people often perform two or even three roles. For example, one person might start in the electrode workshop, cutting materials in the morning, and later move on to packaging them because we simply don’t have enough staff."
Serhii Derzheruk 
Sales Director, Paton International LLC 

This shortage of skilled workers has led the company to seek collaboration with vocational schools that train welders. Through the EdUP project, Paton International is now connected with 29 vocational schools. 

"We manufacture the equipment that these students will use in their future careers. By partnering with vocational schools, we aim to train them on our machines, which are not only Ukrainian-made but also more accessible. "
Serhii Derzheruk 
Sales Director, Paton International LLC 

Paton International provides students with facility tours, educational materials, and participates in EdUP training sessions. For example, for the training in Vinnytsia, they supplied equipment, materials, and experts to upskill 25 educators. 

Swiss company Glas Trösch, another collaborating partner of the EdUP Project, has been present in the Ukrainian market since 2010 and holds a 30% share in the country's double-glazed window market. Despite the war, Glas Trösch actively collaborates with the Project. The motivation is clear, says General Director Serhii Sorokun: 

Serhii Sorokun 
General Director, Glas Trösch Ukraine 
"There’s a lack of skilled workers in the market to staff our factories and for installation work. We’re ready to provide educational materials and training for vocational school instructors to ensure they can teach students."
Serhii Sorokun 
General Director, Glas Trösch Ukraine 

The company is already planning for its future by investing resources to train specialists in high demand on the labor market. 

"We conduct training sessions, develop educational materials for vocational instructors, and organize tours of our facilities for future students."
Serhii Sorokun 
General Director, Glas Trösch Ukraine 

Sergii Sorokun is confident that the collaboration between Glas Trösch and the EdUP project will foster Ukraine’s economic growth. 

"“I believe that our partnership will strengthen the glass processing and double-glazing industry in Ukraine.” "
Serhii Sorokun 
General Director, Glas Trösch Ukraine 

In this challenging time, Ukrainian companies are finding ways to rebuild by investing in the next generation of workers. Through EdUP, they are not only addressing today’s labor shortage but also helping young people develop the skills they need to build a brighter, stronger Ukraine. As these companies continue to provide expertise, curriculum, trainers, and workshops, they’re planting the seeds for a skilled, capable workforce ready to drive the future of Ukraine forward. 

View on Youtube

2020 - 2027
Ukraine
Initial vocational education and training
Public Private Partnership to Improved Professional Education in Ukraine
The EdUP project, including its Scale UP initiative, is playing a crucial role in addressing the serious challenges faced by Ukraine's vocational education and training (VET) sector during wartime. The war has destroyed many VET schools and exacerbated a skills shortage that affects several sectors, despite employers' willingness to offer competitive wages and resources. EdUP aims to rebuild and improve vocational schools and break stereotypes about vocational graduates. By decentralising training and aligning it with local economic needs, the project will improve the quality of vocational training, attract additional resources, work with the private sector, and modernise education to equip Ukraine's workforce for today's demands.  
Learn more