Ukraine tackles staff shortage: number of female drivers is increasing.

As a result of the war in Ukraine, there has been a critical shortage of drivers. In the freight transportation sector, there is a 25% shortfall in needed specialists, and in urban passenger transport, the problem becomes even more acute - the deficiency reaches 30%.

This was reported by Deputy Minister of Community Development, Territories, and Infrastructure Serhiy Derkach, - writes "Khvylya".

This situation arose due to massive mobilization, which significantly affected the labor market. According to Derkach, this means that about 30,000 truck drivers and 6,000 public transport drivers are needed. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that in some companies, the staff shortage exceeds 50%, threatening the normal functioning of logistic chains and the country's transport infrastructure.

To address this pressing issue, the Ministry of Community Development, Territories, and Infrastructure of Ukraine, in collaboration with the Institutional Development Fund and with support from USAID, launched an innovative project for training women drivers of heavy-duty vehicles. This initiative garnered significant interest: out of over a thousand submitted applications, 100 participants were selected who will have the opportunity to master a new profession.

The project received support from 25 large companies, including "Ukrposhta", "Nova Poshta", Metro Cash&Carry, Novus, and Fozzy Group. Derkach emphasized that the aim of the project is not only to fill vacancies but also to change stereotypes about women's participation in trucking. He also added that the project motivates women to consider a profession that was previously considered exclusively male.

Parallel to this, registration is underway for the pilot project She Drives, aimed at training women drivers of passenger buses. The initiative was supported by 10 employer companies, and about 200 women applied to participate in the project.

It should be noted that during the full-scale war, the employment level of women increased compared to pre-war figures (51% versus 43%), but the gender pay gap only widened.