An internship programme for people aged 50 and over is being launched in Ukraine

This was announced on 11 May by the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Yulia Svyrydenko.

The Cabinet of Ministers is launching a national internship programme for people aged 50 and over.

The programme has been named “Experience Matters”.

According to Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, the shortage of skilled workers is already one of the key challenges facing the Ukrainian economy.

This problem is most acute in the construction sector and the defence industry. It is there, she said, that the need for workers will continue to grow.

Svyrydenko noted that this issue had been discussed with Ella Libanova, Director of the M. V. Ptukha Institute of Demography of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.

The government, according to the Prime Minister, is working to incentivise employers and create conditions for experienced workers to return to the labour market.

How the programme will work

The “Experience Matters” programme consists of several stages.

The first stage is preparation for employment. This involves updating CVs, adapting to current labour market requirements and developing practical skills.

The second stage involves meetings with employers. During these meetings, participants will be able to discuss possible forms of cooperation.

The third stage is an internship or employment with the possibility of a permanent role.

During the internship, candidates will be able to familiarise themselves with work processes, whilst employers will be able to assess whether a person is suitable for a specific role.

The programme will be implemented in collaboration with the State Employment Service, the business sector and civil society partners.

Who is being encouraged to join

Svyrydenko stated that the government is developing a new employment policy in which human capital is a key resource.

According to her, the focus is not only on creating jobs but also on removing barriers to employment.

The Prime Minister called on employers to join the programme and on people aged 50+ to apply to take part.

Context

According to a study by Forbes Ukraine, around 30.5 million people currently live in the territory controlled by Ukraine.

This conclusion was reached based on four alternative assessment methods. One of the key factors was an analysis of water consumption.

The total population within Ukraine’s internationally recognised borders is estimated at 35–35.5 million people.

Analysts note that this roughly corresponds to the population that lived in these territories in the 1920s, and is only about 2 million higher than the figures following the end of the Second World War.

The last nationwide census was conducted in 2001. At that time, 48.46 million people lived in Ukraine.

As of 1 December 2019, the population of Ukraine, excluding the temporarily occupied territories of Donbas and Crimea, was estimated at 37.29 million people.

As reported by ThePublic, between 22 and 25 million people currently live in the territory controlled by the Ukrainian government. This estimate was announced by Minister of Social Policy Denys Ulyutin, who described the situation as a “catastrophe”.

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