Ukraine is losing builders: why students are not entering the profession and what to do

The problem of the shortage of specialists in Ukraine's construction sector

According to Главком: In Ukraine, there is a shortage of specialists in the construction sector, which is related to the low enrollment of students and the migration of young people. Initially, there were 26 students in the builders' group, but by the end of the second year, only 20 remained. This indicates a trend towards a decrease in the number of future specialists in this field.

Dmytro Zavhorodnii, Deputy Minister of Education and Science for digital development, digital transformations and digitalization, noted: 'For example, initially in the builders' group – 26 students, and by the end of the second year, at best, there were only 20, and with each course, there are fewer and fewer.'

This suggests that the construction sector may be left without qualified personnel, which will negatively affect the country's infrastructure development.

Initiatives for preparing specialists

In the context of preparing specialists, Vinnytsia Industrial Professional College has opened a modernized training space for specialists in the energy sector. The project was implemented with the support of the UN Development Program in Ukraine and funding from the Government of Japan. However, even with new opportunities, the problem of student shortages remains relevant.

Zavhorodnii also noted: 'Give us students, they may be inexperienced, but if they can hold a key in their hands and really want to learn, we will teach them.'

The situation regarding the number of male applicants over the age of 25 in 2025 indicates a reduction of more than half, signaling the need for changes in the training system for personnel in the construction sector.

Thus, Ukraine is facing challenges in the field of preparing builders, and to improve the situation, effective solutions should be found to attract young people to this profession.

The shortage of qualified specialists in Ukraine's construction sector poses a serious threat to the country's infrastructure development. The decrease in the number of students in construction specialties indicates the need for reforms in the education system that can attract young people to this profession. Support for state initiatives and new educational projects, such as in Vinnytsia, can be important steps towards solving this problem.