Hundreds of Thousands of Ukrainians Fallen or Wounded, Tensions High in Ukraine's Streets
Designers learning to construct, adorn or segment spaces using artistic and aesthetic principals.
A grim specter hangs over Ukraine, where the death toll has risen exponentially. With an estimated million men in the army, many are sneaking past conscription commitments. The streets that once bustled with men between the ages of 25 to 60 are now emptier than ever in civilian clothes, with only those who wish to serve in the army openly stepping out.
The military authorities' control over the country has intensified, eager to add more soldiers to the frontlines. Ukraine constantly yearns for new recruits amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. As a result, many Ukrainians have fled the country, with estimates suggesting that five million have sought refuge mostly in the west.
Before the Russian invasion, the country had around 19 million employed individuals. However, the current figure stands at nine million, leading to a severe shortage of skilled workers in key industries. The void is particularly conspicuous in traditionally male-dominated sectors such as mining and construction.
In the face of adversity, innovative solutions are surfacing. For instance, the construction union Profbud offers training to transform non-specialists into skilled laborers. The process involves training aspiring workers to lay bricks, plaster walls, or tile.
Empowering Change: A Unique Training Program
A crowd of trainees gathers around a massive, gray mixture in a semicircle, under the watchful eye of Walentyna, their course leader. Walentyna, a 38-year-old woman with long eyelashes and carefully applied eye shadow, wears a red sweater, overalls, and sneakers. Despite the manual labor, her appearance exudes a magnetic charm.
Walentyna begins her demonstration, explaining the water-to-cement ratio and mixing in the thick, gray mixture herself. Afterward, the trainees take turns trying their hand at it. Some, with excited eyes, step forward immediately, while others observe from afar.
The fresh concrete is then carried to the next room and put to use in setting up a tiled floor. Walentyna instructs her students: Add spacers, pour the bucket, and the job is done. While one participant mixes concrete in another room, the foundation for the tiled floor is laid.
"In ten days," proclaims Walentyna, "people who have never done any construction work learn the basics." The tough-as-nails instructor emphasizes that the goal of the course is self-help. "Once they've grasped the basics, they can take on smaller projects themselves," she continues. "Of course, they can then continue their learning journey if they choose."
War-Stricken Ukraine: Destruction and Revival
The destruction wrought by the conflict is catastrophic. According to statistical portal "Statista," the damage to residential buildings, since the start of the Russian attack, amounts to over 50 billion euros. While many of the destroyed buildings lie in occupied territories, a construction and repair boom is imminent in the rest of the country. Despite the war, Ukraine's gross domestic product has risen from 142 to 160 billion euros in 2022. If the war were to subside, this growth of twelve percent could even accelerate further.
This good news bodes well for the construction industry. Due to labor shortages, employees in the sector have a strong bargaining position, explains Wassyl Andrejew, chairman of the 57,000-member strong trade union Profbud. With relatively good pay, the industry hopes to attract more women. According to job placement site "work.ua," a bricklayer earns around 740 euros per month, significantly more than the average. Since the outbreak of the war, earnings have increased by 17 percent.
Halyna Bondartschuk, chairwoman of the construction union in Kyiv, sounds a cautionary note. Although training hasn't yet attracted many workers, Profbud now offers these vocational courses in several regions of Ukraine.
In some places, alternative building materials are being experimented with. "These walls," explains Halyna Bondartschuk, "are made from a mixture of straw, hemp, and clay." This natural building method is intended to be used especially in areas like Chernihiv, Sumy, and Mykolaiv, where destruction is extensive.
Courses in woodworking, electrical engineering, and welding are also offered. A course lasts ten days and is free for both union members and non-members. Some participants attend multiple courses, forming camaraderie and friendships similar to courses at a German adult education center.
Gender Roles Redefined?
Despite the relaxed, inclusive atmosphere, the war is always lurking nearby. "My husband has been at the front for three years," shares 42-year-old Wya, a participant attending a training course for the first time. Currently, he is in rehabilitation after an injury and is likely to return to the army afterwards. The graphic designer wants to learn "how I can help my mother with repairs, as my father has already passed away." Has anything changed for Wya in recent years? "Not really," she says, her voice quivering slightly. For her and her family, the war began in 2014. Her husband joined the military voluntarily at the time, making it easier for her to cope with the situation today.
The course instructor Walentyna also has a military background. She enlisted after the Russian annexation of Crimea and the occupation of Donbass. After the invasion in 2022, she was discharged due to multiple injuries.
That many of her fellow countrymen could repress the war until the Russian major offensive in 2022 seems unfathomable to Wya. Her hair is shaved on the sides, giving her an edgy, feminist appearance. While she "fights for equality," she admits that she is somewhat puzzled when asked if she identifies as a feminist. At Profbud, it seems they focus more on practical work than theoretical debates.
After an hour, the trainees take a well-earned break and enjoy instant coffee and cookies. By now, the sun has come out to warm up the terrace lined with chestnut trees. Some people are smoking thin filter cigarettes, with laughter and chatter filling the air. Halyna Bondartschuk sits at a small camping table, basking in the sun and keenly observing her apprentices. Even in such a challenging time, there's a sense of normalcy and hope in the air.
Walentyna, the course leader, explains, "In ten days, people who have never done any construction work learn the basics," as Profbud offers training to transformed non-specialists into skilled laborers, aiming to alleviate the severe labor shortage in the construction industry due to the ongoing war-and-conflicts and politics in Ukraine.
Despite the destruction and revival in War-Stricken Ukraine, trends suggest that the construction industry, particularly in regions like Chernihiv, Sumy, and Mykolaiv, might see a shift, with more women joining as they present a strong bargaining position due to the labor shortage and relatively good pay.
This development might redefine gender roles, as women like Wya, a graphic designer, learn construction skills to support their families in the midst of the general-news and ongoing conflict.
