The Staffing Challenge in the Agricultural Sector Was the Focus of an Expert Meeting on Ukraine’s Future Workforce

The shortage of qualified personnel in Ukraine’s agricultural sector was the central topic of the expert meeting “Bridging the Skills Gap in the Agricultural Sector,” held on July 7 at the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The event brought together representatives of government institutions, agribusinesses, industry associations, academia, and international partners. Participants discussed ways to ensure the agricultural sector has access to highly qualified professionals equipped with modern competencies and capable of working effectively amid digital transformation, European integration, and Ukraine’s post-war recovery.

Vadym Chagarovsky, Chairman of the Union of Dairy Enterprises of Ukraine, took part in the discussion on the “Roadmap for the Development of Human Capital in Ukraine’s Agricultural Sector through 2030.” He explained why the current training system for the food processing industry no longer meets business needs, why having 43 universities does not guarantee quality education, and what changes are needed.

— What were the key points you made during the discussion?

I suggested looking at the issue from a historical perspective. During the Soviet period, only two higher education institutions in Ukraine trained specialists in dairy technology—the Kyiv and Odesa Institutes of Food Technology. Together, they graduated around 120 dairy technologists each year. At that time, Ukraine had 646 dairy processing plants.

Today, the situation is completely different. In 2025, only 243 dairy processing enterprises remained in operation, yet 43 higher education institutions were authorised to train dairy technology specialists.

This situation raises an obvious question: have all these universities established modern laboratories, invested in advanced equipment, and recruited qualified academic staff? The answer is no. Unfortunately, this has not happened. Instead of concentrating resources in several strong educational centres, the system expanded the number of institutions formally offering these programs. In reality, the quality of professional training has been seriously diluted.

— What should the new model look like?

We need a comprehensive reform of food industry education in higher education institutions. We should return to the principle of specialisation.

Ukraine needs only four or five strong regional centres for professional training—located, for example, in the western, eastern, southern, and central parts of the country. These centres should have the best faculty, state-of-the-art equipment, and high-quality practical training.

Today, 56 Ukrainian higher education institutions offer food technology programs. The state funds approximately 1,300 publicly financed student places across all of them. If these places are distributed evenly, each university graduates just over twenty students per year. That is an inefficient use of public resources.

— The event focused on workforce capacity. How does this relate to European integration?

Very directly. The Union of Dairy Enterprises of Ukraine has already developed a Roadmap for the European Integration of the Dairy Industry. It clearly outlines all the necessary steps. The question is: who will implement them?

Businesses have managers, technologists, and production specialists, but they are fully engaged in day-to-day operations. They are not responsible for drafting regulations, harmonising standards, or developing practical approaches to implementing EU requirements.

That is why, in my opinion, professors and researchers from specialised university departments—particularly dairy technology departments—should be actively involved in this work. However, their contribution must be properly financed by both businesses and European partners.

Only then will this work produce practical results.

— You also spoke about a multi-level workforce development system. What does it involve?

The industry needs professionals at different qualification levels.

The first level consists of skilled workers, primarily laboratory technicians.

The second level is bachelor’s degree graduates.

Colleges can largely provide the first two levels.

The third level consists of master’s degree graduates.

The fourth level is continuing professional education, as technologies evolve constantly and specialists must continually update their knowledge.

In addition, universities should develop and offer short-term certificate programs.

— Are there already examples of cooperation between businesses and universities?

Yes. Last year, a dairy processing company asked the Union for assistance in recruiting laboratory technicians. The company was unable to find just two qualified specialists.

We approached the National University of Food Technologies and jointly developed a Certificate Program for laboratory technicians. The course lasted 42 hours and combined online instruction with mandatory laboratory practice.

Fifteen participants completed the program. Tuition cost UAH 6,000 per participant. Upon completion, all graduates received certificates qualifying them to work as laboratory technicians.

This is an excellent example of how a university can respond quickly to a specific business need.

— You also mentioned Poland’s experience. Why is it relevant for Ukraine?

At the Union’s initiative, we established cooperation with the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland, which offers postgraduate education programs for dairy industry professionals.

Currently, two Ukrainian specialists sponsored by Ukrproduct Group are studying under this program. It is a one-year course costing €830. It combines online learning with monthly practical training sessions at the university.

It is exactly the lifelong learning the industry needs today.

The University of Warmia and Mazury has received approximately €6 million in European funding to establish a modern education and research facility.

The university operates pilot-scale production equipment that allows students to practice virtually every modern dairy processing technology. That is what contemporary engineering education should look like.

— What role should businesses play in training future specialists?

Businesses can no longer expect universities to produce job-ready graduates.

Companies must actively participate in designing educational programs, help modernise teaching facilities, and finance specific areas of professional training.

This is how the system works across Europe. Students acquire theoretical knowledge at universities while completing a significant portion of their practical training at industrial enterprises.

Ukraine should move toward a dual education model.

— You also proposed launching a pilot project at the Educational and Scientific Institute of Food Technologies of the National University of Food Technologies.

If we are serious about European integration, specialised institutes should establish the position of Deputy Director for European Integration.

This person would coordinate the work of faculty members from different departments within pilot European integration projects covering specific industries, including dairy, winemaking, fruit and vegetable processing, and others.

Such an approach would strengthen career guidance for prospective students, modernise educational programs, expand internship opportunities at Ukrainian and European enterprises, and prepare graduates who fully meet European industry standards.

As European integration progresses, the number of enterprises equipped with modern technologies will continue to grow. Companies that fail to modernise and invest in workforce development will not remain competitive.

— To conclude, what should be the top priority?

We need to reconnect education with business.

Educational institutions must train exactly the specialists required by modern industry. Businesses should become active partners in the educational process, while industry associations should serve as a bridge between enterprises and universities.

Only through this kind of collaboration will Ukraine be able to prepare professionals capable of ensuring the sustainable development of its dairy industry and its successful integration into the European market.