THE IMBALANCE OF THE LABOR MARKET IN UKRAINE: CURRENT TRENDS AND GUIDELINES FOR OVERCOMING DISPROPORTIONS

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.