EFFECTIVE PERSONNEL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES IN CONDITIONS OF LABOR MARKET TRANSFORMATION: CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS

Abstract

The article explores effective personnel development strategies under conditions of labor market transformation and workforce shortages in Ukraine. In the context of wartime challenges, demographic decline, labor migration, and economic uncertainty, human capital development becomes a critical determinant of organizational resilience and competitiveness. The study substantiates the importance of a systemic approach to personnel development that integrates career planning, continuous learning, skills assessment, and internal talent management as interconnected elements of strategic human resource management.

The research analyzes economic, social, and legal factors influencing personnel development, with particular attention to compliance with international labor standards, including ILO Convention No. 142 and EU employment directives. Methodologically, the study is based on a systemic approach and employs comparative analysis of domestic and international practices, content analysis of scientific publications and policy documents, SWOT analysis, and benchmarking methods. Empirical insights are supported by secondary data from international consulting firms and case studies of leading global companies.

The findings demonstrate that organizations implementing comprehensive personnel development systems achieve significantly lower staff turnover (by approximately 40%) and reduce recruitment costs by up to 18% compared to organizations relying primarily on external hiring. The research highlights the growing role of innovative development methods, including digital learning platforms, mentoring, coaching, VR/AR-based training, and corporate universities, which enhance learning effectiveness, employee engagement, and adaptability to labor market changes. Particular emphasis is placed on understanding skill interdependencies, where foundational cognitive and social skills serve as a basis for developing technical and specialized competencies.

Practical recommendations include the development of individual career roadmaps, implementation of structured professional development planning systems, investment in internal expertise monetization, and systematic evaluation of return on investment in learning using balanced benchmarking and Phillips ROI methods. The results confirm that strategic investment in personnel development not only improves organizational performance but also strengthens workforce sustainability under conditions of labor market instability.