The imbalance of the labor market in Ukraine: current trends and guidelines for overcoming disproportions

Abstract

Relevance of the research topic. The structural transformations of the national economy, competition intensification, and unfavourable demographic changes lead to dramatic changes in the labor market, which is characterized by a mismatch between the demand and the supply of labour and vocational qualification and educational levels as well as types of economic activity. The consequences of the full-scale military aggression of the russian federation in Ukraine weakens the potential of the labor market. Firstly, there are barriers to the free movement of production factors, including workforce. Secondly, there are losses of production facilities and infrastructure. Thirdly, as a result of forced migration, there are negative trends in employment and income. Furthermore, the structure of the labor market has changed significantly: there is an imbalance between labor supply and demand, and regional disparities in the concentration of labor resources deepens. Formulation of the problem. The stabilization of the national labor market, growth in employment, redistribution of the workforce for the post-war recovery of Ukraine's economy require the development of effective labor market management mechanisms in the context of training specialists, formation of special skills, the development of professional education system to minimize educational-professional and regional imbalances. Analysis of recent research and publications. The trends in demand and supply on the labor market, the influence of various factors on its structure are investigated by domestic (V. Antoniuk,  V. Brych, V. Heiets,  A. Hrishnova, L. Ilich, A. Kolot,  M. Krymova, E. Libanova, A. Novikova, I. Petrova, N. Rushchyshyn,  Z. Smutchak,  L. Shaulska,  N. Yakymova) and foreign scientists (D. Alpisbaeva, H. Andersen, G. Becker, G. Brisese, M. Kali, S. McGuinness, M. Popp, A. Robay, P. Sloan, G. Fields, R. Freeman). The results of research of educational and qualification disproportions in the labor sphere are reflected in the works of N. Azmuk, V. Twin, O. Kupets, L. Lisohor, V. Sarioglo, L. Fedunichik, who study the disproportionality of labour supply and demand in terms of the uneven distribution of workers in terms of occupations and economic activities, due to the imbalance between the available and the required levels of professional competence of employees. The development of the system of vocational and technical education as a source of formation of the labour market of vocational professions is described in the scientific developments of A. Amoshi, I. Hnibidenko, M. Dolishny, V. Kutsenko, M. Semikina, V. Shmatova and others. Selection of unexplored parts of the general problem. Despite some progress in resolving these problems, the impact of the vocational training system on the sectoral and regional disparities in the national labour market is not sufficiently investigated; as well as the risks and threats caused by the military actions in Ukraine are still not taken into account. Setting the task, the purpose of the study. The above-mentioned circumstances make it expedient to assess educational, vocational and sectoral imbalances in the labour market and identify guidelines for redressing the imbalance between labour supply and demand. Method or methodology for conducting research. In the process of research general scientific (analysis and synthesis, abstract-logical, generalization and system analysis) and special methods of studying economic phenomena and processes are used. Presentation of the main material (results of work). The paper analyses the dynamics of the labour market, indicating the steady trend towards the decrease of the number of employed population. An assessment of the structure of demand and supply in the labour market by economic activity and occupational group reveals an excess in the labour market of the economically active population, which associates itself with the following areas of the economy: agriculture, trade and vehicle repair, public administration. There is an unmet demand for workers in the manufacturing industry, transport, health, education. Among the professional groups, a large proportion of the unemployed are trade and service workers, employees and managers, and the most demanded in the labour market are skilled vocational professionals. The results of the study highlight that the current problem of the national labour market and the existing imbalance between the supply of labour and the demand for it is the mismatch between educational services of the vocational training system to the needs of the labour market, insufficient level of vocational education, imperfect state and regional order for skilled workers, lack of effective interaction between stakeholders, insufficient motivation of young people for vocational professions. Conclusion according to the article. In order to overcome the existing negative trends, it is necessary to increase vocational guidance among schoolchildren. This guidance should focus on popularization of relevant and promising professions. It should contribute to strengthening the capacity of public employment services; expand the range of services and improve their quality. Career guidance ought to strengthen the practical component of training of workers and develop the system of dual education. There should be introduction of the program “job security for young people”, initiation of the research on formation of specialties, skills and qualifications, taking into account the strategic outlook of the labour market.  Social dialogue in the context of creating conditions for continuing vocational education should be created. There should be promotion of the development of small and medium-sized enterprises as well as constant content of educational programmes to meet the needs of the regional labour market and expand the competencies of skilled workers. State standards for specific occupations on a modular and competency basis should be introduced. There is a strong demand for improvement of the material and technical base of vocational schools as well as modernization of the network of educational establishments. The implementation of these directions will contribute to the formation and development of innovative human capital, restoration of the quality of the workforce, and overcoming the imbalance in the labor market. The balancing of the labor market is the main need for post-war development, and effective employment must be an integral part of post-war reconstruction social policy.