On 25 March, an important event took place in Odesa - the opening ceremony of the International Labour Organization (ILO) project "Support to Job Creation and Social Dialogue Development in Mykolaiv and Odesa Regions". This ambitious project, funded by the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), is a real impetus to create new opportunities for the unemployed and increase the competitiveness of the labour force in the region.

The Tenth of April NGO became the main implementation partner of this important project. Its experience and dedication will contribute to the successful implementation of all initiatives designed to change the situation on the labour market in Odesa and Mykolaiv regions.

Olga Tkachenko Deputy President of the NGO
"Desyate Kvitnya, a representative of the executive partner emphasised that "HR issues are not just about recruiting people for jobs. It is a real development process where everyone has the opportunity to find their place in society and contribute to the common good. We are confident that through our work and cooperation with international partners, we will be able to ensure sustainable development not only for specific regions but also for the whole country. It is important that everyone who has a desire to work and develop is given the opportunity to do so."

Today. Odesa regionlike most regions of Ukraine, faces a number of challenges in terms of staffing various sectors of the economy. One of the biggest challenges is the shortage of qualified personnel. In particular, there is a clear shortage of specialists in the agricultural sector, which significantly hinders the development of the industry and increases competition for personnel.

The overall situation on the labour market in Odesa region is characterised by high youth unemployment and insufficient preparedness of the workforce for new market requirements. The agricultural sector, in particular, suffers from a shortage of experienced workers. Employers are often unable to find qualified specialists, even in such important areas as land cultivation, maintenance of agricultural machinery and agribusiness management.

Project objectives and solution mechanisms

The project is aimed at addressing the human resource issues by providing training and retraining opportunities, creating new jobs, and supporting the development of small and medium-sized businesses. Key objectives include:

- Training of 100 people under the dual system, of whom 15 will be employed.

- Launch of 10 short-term training courses involving 100 people, 20 of whom will find jobs.

- Implementation of a digital platform that will provide access to job vacancies and training opportunities for more than 1,000 people.

- Support for 20 business projects, including grant and mentoring support for small businesses.

These measures will contribute to a significant improvement in the labour market, particularly in the agricultural sector, where the need for skilled workers is extremely urgent.

Emmanuel Julien, Deputy Regional Director of the International Labour Organization (ILO), said:

"This project is extremely important for the development of Odesa and Mykolaiv regions. We are ready to support local initiatives and work together to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth in the labour market. Our goal is to help create more jobs, improve the skills of workers and reduce social and economic inequalities.".

Alla Stoyanova, Project Manager for Agricultural Education and Development, emphasised:

"We pay special attention to the agricultural sector, as it is the backbone of the Odesa region's economy. Insufficiently trained staff is an obstacle to the effective development of the industry. This project will help to solve the problem of qualifications and increase the competitiveness of farmers in the labour market, which will give impetus to economic growth."

Mykyta Korenev, director of the Odesa Regional Employment Centre, said:

"We are actively involved in the implementation of this project, as it is of real importance to every resident of Odesa Oblast. We believe that through training programmes and employment opportunities we will be able to overcome the problem of unemployment and create new opportunities for the development of our communities.".

Oleksiy Dmytrenko, Director of the Department of Economic Policy and Strategic Planning of the Odesa Regional State Administration, said:

"Solving the problem of staffing the Odesa region's economy is critical for the region's development. The implementation of this project is a prerequisite for sustainable economic growth, especially in the agricultural sector, where the need for skilled workers is constantly growing."

The project "Support to Job Creation and Social Dialogue Development in Mykolaiv and Odesa Regions" opens new horizons for the development of the local labour market, education and entrepreneurship. Thanks to the cooperation of international organisations, local authorities and NGOs, this project has the potential to make a significant difference in the region by creating new jobs, improving the skills of young people and contributing to the development of important sectors of the economy and the agricultural sector in particular.

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