Ukrainian defense industry enterprises are currently facing a significant shortage of both skilled and unskilled personnel. According to market participants, the lack of workers directly impacts the timelines for order fulfillment and the cost of production. For instance, one of the leading defense companies in Kyiv has over 700 job openings.
This is reported by Finway
Main Reasons for the Shortage of Specialists
Experts note that the issue is complex and is related, in particular, to the shortcomings of the education system. Specifically, prospective students are increasingly choosing non-engineering fields, while the promotion of such professions by the state remains insufficient. As a result, the burden on existing workers in the industry is increasing, and companies are forced to seek alternative solutions to the labor shortage.
“Ukrainian defense enterprises are experiencing a shortage of both skilled and unskilled labor. This affects production timelines and product costs, market participants reported.”
Regulatory and Organizational Challenges for Weapon Manufacturers
Weapon manufacturers, especially those working in the field of drone technology, note that one of the key obstacles is the issue of conscription exemptions. Enterprises are unable to officially employ individuals with issues in their military registration documents. Manufacturers propose allowing men who have gone abroad to return to Ukraine without the risk of sanctions or mobilization, provided they are guaranteed employment in defense production.
Moreover, a significant portion of industry representatives is interested in joining the Defence City initiative. This program includes tax changes for defense enterprises, specifically exemptions from profit tax on the condition that the funds received are reinvested in their own production. This approach will enable companies to allocate additional resources for the development and modernization of production capacities.