Agri Recruitment in Ukraine: Present and Prospects
The agricultural sector has always been one of the most powerful players in the Ukrainian market. Its stable functioning made it possible to meet the internal needs of the country, as well as the demand of partner states. One of the key factors in the success of domestic agriculture was a high-class, experienced human resource.
The dynamics would continue to be positive if it were not for the war. It is good that the initial confusion quickly gave way to the willpower of Ukrainian farmers, and even though financing and logistics were a bit slow, the 2022 sowing took place. Compared to 2021, the harvest was only 18% less, although many fields were mined.
It is obvious that even in 2023 sowing is not possible in full. Taking into account the reduction of funding and the difficult conditions of fieldwork, according to preliminary calculations, this year’s harvest will be 10-15% lower than last year’s. The main emphasis will be on the most profitable crops (corn, barley, sunflower, etc.), which will allow agricultural companies to survive, providing both internal and external needs for these plants. Hope is given by the significant support of the sector by the partner countries of the EU and the USA, which provide both financial and technical assistance in this difficult time for Ukraine.
“2023 will be a turbulent agricultural year, but Ukrainian perseverance and global support will help the sector to stand up and demonstrate decent results,” says Olena Kutsokon, Head of the Recruitment Department at Smart Solutions.
Ukrainian agricultural recruitment found itself in an unusual situation of staff shortage. Many workers of the sector – men of conscription age – are at the front, part of the female staff has gone abroad. Today, there is a real struggle for agricultural specialists, first of all, machine operators, technical operators, and tractor drivers (especially those who have experience working on imported machinery). Many office positions also remain unfilled. The highest demand is for buyers with knowledge of foreign languages, and experienced salespeople.
However, serious challenges give rise to interesting solutions. Employers in the agricultural sector began to actively attract young people, invest in the training of inexperienced workers, engaged in the re-profiling of women, attracting them to traditionally male positions, and mentioned high-class pensioners. According to Olena Kutsokon, the relevant measures are evidence of the flexibility of modern agricultural recruitment and the formation of the personnel reserve of the agricultural segment.
Revealing some secrets of her company’s recruitment, she notes that “the recruiting success of Smart Solutions in agriculture today is primarily related to the use of creative and non-standard approaches. Our recruiters, due to their considerable expertise and experience, know how to profitably present the company to the candidate, and skillfully use additional channels for communication with interesting specialists.”
Undoubtedly, the future of the Ukrainian agricultural sector is difficult to predict in the light of war events. Much will depend on the situation at the front, political decisions, and the amount of funding. However, we will believe that the indomitability encoded in the genetics of Ukrainians will help to win both on the battlefield and in the agricultural fields.
