The labor market in the Brest region today is a dynamic ecosystem where every participant in the process – from a university graduate to an experienced worker – can find their place. The main trend is obvious: the region is moving from a job-search model to a career-building model, where initiative has firmly passed into the hands of those who are ready to learn, develop, and bring real benefit to the economy of their region. Leading industry specialists told a Zarya correspondent about the dominant trends in this area.

Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Labor, Employment and Social Protection of the Brest Regional Executive Committee Irina Fedchik:

– In the current five-year period, the main emphasis in the employment sphere is on meeting employers' needs for personnel, as well as creating conditions for people to settle in the regions and for the economy to develop evenly.

As of September 1 of this year, almost 19,000 vacancies have been registered in the region, which is 5,800 fewer than on the same date in 2025.

Due to the entry into force of the new version of the Law "On Employment of the Population", the information Portal of the State Employment Service has become the single access point to all vacancies in the republic. The platform's functionality makes it possible to simplify the job search process; it contains offers with housing provided, including for foreign citizens. This system also encourages employers to be more responsible and law-abiding.

The State Employment Service Portal undergoes regular relevance monitoring. This forms a reliable picture of the region's labor market. The main demand is currently for organizations in industry, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, trade, and education. Among the most sought-after professions are drivers, fish and seafood processors, salespeople, electricians, gas welders, nurses, and track fitters.

For job seekers, the current situation opens a unique "window of opportunity." If earlier job hunting was a process requiring patience and a willingness to compromise, today a candidate can afford to choose an employer based on personal priorities: proximity to home, career growth prospects, or the opportunity to master a new, more in-demand specialty.

Job fairs have also become an excellent advantage in the search process. We plan to hold them monthly in various formats. For example, the online option is a good opportunity for communication between potential employees and employers. There is definite benefit and effectiveness here. Although our people still prefer live communication, the offline format, where you can talk directly, ask questions about future employment and social guarantees.

Head of the Department of Labor, Employment and Social Protection of the Brest City Executive Committee Inna Novozhilova:

– Since the beginning of the year, 3,926 people have already applied to us, of whom 3,491 have been employed, which is 82.4 percent. That is, our employment rate is very high. This is out of the total number. Since the beginning of the year, 926 unemployed people have applied to us, of whom 759 have been employed. What is the difference between these two categories of citizens? The unemployed are those who are assigned the status of unemployed, that is, they do not work anywhere and are not engaged in anything. There are many more applicants because they can include students, pupils, pensioners, entrepreneurs, and working people. In other words, a person can come, register, and they will be assisted in finding employment. Therefore, the number of applicants is much higher than the number of people with assigned unemployed status.

Since the beginning of the year, 59 people have been sent for training. It is worth noting that in September our work is at its busiest. We are forming groups for further vocational training. The focus now is on young people who, for whatever reason, were unable to enroll in their chosen institution but want to have a specialty. We accept them for training; they gain knowledge, experience and, importantly, a guaranteed first job. These include hairdressers, manicurists, cooks, pastry chefs, waiters, bartenders, electric and gas welders, electricians, and car repair mechanics. The duration of study depends on the course, but basically all our programs last up to six months. Young people undergo training at our colleges, and upon completion they are awarded qualifications and issued state-recognized certificates confirming that they have received a profession. So with these documents, they can, in principle, go and get a job at any enterprise.

Another major area of our work is supporting aspiring entrepreneurs, both individual entrepreneurs and those who register as self-employed. Since the beginning of the year, we have allocated subsidies to 44 people to start their own business. And their projects are already actively operating!

Seasonal part-time work at agricultural enterprises is also relevant now, where you can choose your form of employment and receive regular payments.

In the last days of September, we will hold a job fair for people of retirement and pre-retirement age.

Individual entrepreneur Tatyana Miskova:

– On August 17, an important event happened in my life – I opened my family beauty studio "Dandelion". Honestly, I couldn't even imagine before that I would run my own business. I worked for a long time at a similar place as an employee, but then I realized I wanted something of my own. I am a mother of many children and, like no one else, I understand how difficult but at the same time interesting it is to cut children's hair. That's why my studio focuses on this. A big help for me was the support of my business initiative at the Department of Labor, Employment and Social Protection. They literally told me step by step how, where, and what to do. I wasn't quite sure how to choose the tax form, and they advised me on that too.

Of course, I want my business to develop and eventually grow into a large salon. In my opinion, there is every chance for that. By the way, an interesting fact.