National Project “Experience Matters”
With labor demand on the rise, experienced professionals over 50 are an increasingly valuable group for Ukrainian employers. Under the national project “Experience Matters,” employers and candidates aged 50 and older came together for fast-paced career networking. The program aims to help older adults re-enter the workforce. Its “Speed Career Meetings 50+” component is run by Ukraine’s Ministry of Economy and Environment and the State Employment Center, with the involvement of the Zhyttelyub Charitable Foundation, agricultural holding Astarta-Kyiv, and the Federation of Employers of Ukraine.
Highlights from the Meetings
During the sessions, organizers asked employers what they want candidates to know and what to focus on when searching for a job. One employer summed up their advice:
“It truly does not matter how old you are. What matters are your skills, experience, motivation, and willingness to learn.”
The “Experience Matters” project offers:
- skill upgrading
- training
- meetings with employers
- internships
- job placement
Those who want to take part can submit an application through the State Employment Service website. The project receives financial support from the European Union, Germany, Poland, Estonia, and Denmark through the Multi-Donor Initiative Skills4Recovery, implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and Solidarity Fund PL (SFPL).
The initiative is part of Ukraine’s National Barrier-Free Strategy for 2026, which aims to create equal opportunities for all citizens. It also highlights how important it is to bring older people back into the labor market, especially as the demand for workers grows. With help from international partners, the project can significantly improve employment chances for people over 50 and strengthen the national economy.