On 25 November, Kyiv hosted the 6th International Forum “HUMAN CAPITAL: In the Focus of Transformations” — an annual event that brings together experts, government institutions, employers, educators, and international partners to advance human capital development in Ukraine.
This year’s Forum centered on rebuilding the economy through skills and qualifications development, Ukraine’s integration into the European Qualifications Framework, and the adoption of leading international adult learning practices.
The Donetsk Regional Employment Service was represented at the Forum by its Director, Nataliia Adamova.
Donetsk region’s experience is particularly relevant to the Forum’s main theme, as the region operates under large-scale transformation and significant pressure related to supporting internally displaced persons, veterans, youth, and other citizens who need new opportunities for professional growth.
The region’s practice demonstrates that human capital development is not only about global concepts — it is daily work carried out on the ground. The Employment Service is actively implementing modern tools for cooperation with employers, job placement support, and vocational training. Over the past year, around 21,000 people used the services of the Donetsk Regional Employment Service, and 12,500 individuals were provided with employment.
A special emphasis is placed on skills enhancement and helping people adapt to the new economic realities. Thanks to the expansion of the vocational training system and flexible retraining programmes, 2,700 residents of Donetsk region underwent training this year through referrals from the Employment Service. Partnerships with educational institutions, employers, and civil society organizations continue to strengthen, enabling a rapid response to the needs of the regional labour market.
The Forum was held in a hybrid format and brought together thousands of participants both offline and online, becoming a large-scale platform for professional dialogue and for shaping a joint strategy to modernize Ukraine’s qualifications system.
Participation in the event provided new guidance for further efforts to develop human capital and support communities across Donetsk region on their path to recovery.