Дмитрий Кащук
Председатель Комитета по вопросам недропользования при ЕБА

DMITRY KASHCHUK: why Ukrainian companies need to invest in education right now

DMITRY KASHCHUK: why Ukrainian companies need to invest in education right now
Logan Zillmer. Looking For Sun, 2014 / Artwork: huxley.media via Photoshop

 

The 21st century has brought us into the midst of war. No one could have imagined that the civilized world would face such brutal realities: daily struggles for life, culture, language, humanity, and the existence of an entire nation. However, even in these challenging times, it is essential to remember not only the military aspect but also the business component of Ukraine’s fight.

Today, more than ever, business must be the driver of economic and social development. Dmitry Kashchuk, Chairman of the Committee on Subsurface Resource Management at the European Business Association, explains why investments in corporate education are one answer to the challenges posed by the war.

 

WHY INVEST IN EMPLOYEE EDUCATION?

 

Investing in employee education within corporations has significant potential to enhance overall productivity and innovation in a company. Employee training can take various forms: professional training, advanced qualification courses, master classes from industry experts, leadership development programs, and more. All these can bring high results for each team member and the company as a whole. Analyzing authoritative global research on the state and quality of education highlights several key benefits of this approach:

#1 Productivity Growth

A study conducted by the International Labour Organization showed that every $1 invested in corporate training yields an average return of $10.

#2 Talent Management

According to LinkedIn Learning, 94% of employees stated they would stay with a company longer if the organization invested in their professional training and development.

#3 Competitiveness

PwC analysts have calculated that companies actively investing in developing their employees’ skills are 23% more likely to outperform their competitors in financial performance and innovation.

#4 Development of Soft Skills

According to research by the World Economic Forum, most employers recognize the importance of soft skills such as critical thinking, communication, and adaptability and value employees who excel in these areas. In practice, corporate education can be implemented through internal training programs, partnerships with universities, or online platforms.

 

EDUCATIONAL TRENDS

 

For corporate education, the war became the first serious challenge. Many companies began rethinking their approaches to employee training and development during the COVID-19 pandemic. The war has intensified these trends. Today, effective educational models inherent in the Ukrainian corporate sector are built on the following fundamental principles:

#1 Online Learning

Approximately 78% of Ukrainian companies have increased their investments in online learning platforms and tools.

#2 Adaptability

A survey of HR executives revealed that 65% of companies have implemented resilience and emotional intelligence development programs as a response to the challenges of war and economic uncertainty.

 #3 Investment in Technological Skills

Surveys indicate that Ukrainian companies’ investments in the education of IT specialists have increased by 40% over the past three years, particularly in cybersecurity and software development.

#4 Развитие лидерских качеств

Более 50% украинских компаний ввели специализированные программы подготовки руководителей среднего и высшего звена, чтобы улучшить управление командами в кризисных условиях.

#5 Employee Support

In addition to psychological support, 72% of companies have implemented flexible work schedules and remote learning to help employees maintain work-life balance during wartime.

These adaptive changes in approaches to corporate education not only help companies in Ukraine survive during the crisis but also prepare them for a more sustainable and innovative future.

 

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DEMAND FOR «UNIVERSALISM»

 

Ukrainian specialists have traditionally been in high demand abroad. This trend is only growing stronger. We understand that post-war reconstruction will require a vast number of highly skilled personnel — those who have continued to develop and keep pace with the civilized world.

Alongside mineral resources and the energy sector, human capital is a crucial resource for shaping Ukraine’s post-war future. The country, which will transform into a massive construction site after the war, will need top-notch specialists in architecture, engineering, urban planning, spatial planning, design, the development of new construction materials, and more.

We have many excellent specialists in each of these fields. However, the modern business context presents a new important requirement — a focus on universalism. To be effective, adaptable, and competitive, companies are interested in «universal» employees who possess not just one narrowly focused skill but a whole set of competencies. The task of corporate education is to provide such a set.

 

CASE STUDY: NATURAL RESOURCE UTILIZATION

 

As a specialist in subsurface resource management, I can say that this industry is in dire need of «universal» employees. Last year, 465 special permits for subsoil use were issued in Ukraine, 58% more than the previous year. The fee reached a record-breaking 2.4 billion hryvnias, of which 75% were revenues generated from electronic auctions.

We see that the number of new projects in the field of mineral extraction and processing is actively increasing. Accordingly, the demand for «universal» specialists whose competencies enable the realization of these projects is also growing.

Only people who think in terms of project management are capable of increasing the productivity of Ukrainian mining enterprises at present. They must understand how the field of subsoil use works as a whole, how the permitting process is conducted, possess basic knowledge of geology and law, have management skills, and more.

 

PROJECT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

 

Unfortunately, the classical educational models most Ukrainian universities adhere to are insufficient for addressing such «universal» tasks. These institutions produce excellent specialists in narrow fields: geologists, surveyors, and environmentalists. However, these individuals mostly lack comprehensive knowledge of management mechanisms and the specifics of managerial decisions in the current context.

To address the shortcomings of the classical educational model, the European Business Association (EBA) and the Kyiv School of Economics plan to launch the «Project Management in Subsoil Use» program. The launch of this program was announced during a recent meeting of the EBA Subsoil Use Committee.

To make the new course as effective as possible, a labor market survey in the subsurface resource management sector has been initiated. Following the link, top managers and CEOs of interested companies are invited to participate in the survey.

 


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