Finland requires increasingly more education, particularly for engineering programs and service sectors, according to a recent report published by the Finnish National Agency for Education.
The report also said that the future need for education is also driven by the professionalisation of the workforce and a high rate of retirement in the social and health sectors, said the agency in a press release on Thursday.
The report anticipated how many new degrees will be needed across different levels and fields of education to meet future labor market demands. The anticipation period extends from 2019 to 2040.
The greatest need for additional education is in the field of engineering, requiring, depending on the scenario, between 16 500 to 19 000 new degrees annually. Currently, significantly fewer degrees (13,500) are being completed in this field, so, according to the anticipation, education needs to be increased by 22-41% from the current level.
The need for education affects all levels of engineering, but the relative greatest need is in university education. The number of university degrees needs to be especially increased in the fields of environmental protection technology, electronics, and automation, as well as construction and architectural design, to secure the supply of labor.
The relative greatest need for educational growth is in the service sectors, where an increase of 31-48% from the current level is needed. For example, in vocational education, more training is needed for household services and the hotel and restaurant industry's labor needs.
More education is also needed in health and well-being sectors, agriculture and forestry, as well as in social sciences.
However, degrees in commerce, administration and law, computer science and telecommunications, as well as humanities and arts are being completed somewhat more than the labor market needs.
The assessment of educational needs is influenced by the future labor needs of different sectors.
Quantitatively, the labor need will especially increase in rental and support services, real estate, as well as business and development services, requiring about 26 000–40 000 new workers.
There is also growth in the manufacturing of metal products, machinery and vehicles, and in social and health services. On the other hand, the greatest decrease in labor need is seen in commerce, education, and public administration.
The determination of educational needs also considers that nearly half of the current workforce will retire by 2040. The social and health sector, where nearly 190 000 or 54% of the staff will retire, will experience the most retirements.
Retirement is also significant among a large portion of the business, sales, and industrial professional sectors. Additionally, many growth sectors need more labor.
“To replace retired workers and for new job positions, 1.25–1.37 million new workers are needed between 2020 and 2040,” said Senior Adviser of the agency Kari Nyyssölä.
The report estimates that the new job openings will require a higher level of education than what workers have currently.
In the future workforce, 47% should have vocational education, 30% university of applied science (polytechnic) education, and 22% university education. The increase in the need for higher education is due to the workforce becoming more expert-driven.
“Experts also need to be brought to Finland through immigration to secure future labor needs. Additionally, people outside the workforce must be encouraged to enter the workforce, and adult education and continuous learning must be strengthened,” said Senior Adviser Maria Clavert.
Improving educational opportunities for workers is also necessary across all educational sectors, especially to secure the supply of highly educated labor.
Overall, the results are presented in the report, from which labor and educational needs can be examined by function and professional field, as well as by educational level and field.
The analysis is based on two scenarios- the BAU (business as usual) scenario assumes the continuation of current trends, while the growth scenario strongly leans on the development of expertise and digitalization.
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
In my opinion, it’s great to see the increasing demand for higher education in Finland. It reflects the country’s commitment to staying at the forefront of innovation and technology. As the workforce professionalizes and sectors like engineering and service grow, investing in education is crucial to meet future labor market needs. It’s vital to ensure that the educational system can keep up with the changing demands and provide the necessary skills for the evolving job market.
As an engineering student myself, I believe the increasing focus on higher education in Finland is crucial for keeping up with the evolving demands of the workforce. It’s great to see the recognition of the need for more specialized skills in key sectors like engineering. I hope this trend continues to support professionals in obtaining the necessary qualifications for the future labor market.
In my opinion, the increasing demand for higher education in Finland, especially in engineering and service sectors, reflects the evolving needs of the labor market and the workforce professionalization. It’s crucial to adapt education levels and fields to ensure the future supply of skilled labor. The report’s insights highlight the necessity for strategic educational planning to meet the demands from now until 2040.
Do you think the increase in education requirements will lead to a shortage of qualified professionals in other sectors?
It’s possible that the increase in education requirements could result in a shortage of qualified professionals in other sectors as the focus shifts towards specific industries. However, it also presents an opportunity for individuals to upskill and meet the demand for a more educated workforce.
As a professional in the engineering sector, I believe that the increased focus on higher education in Finland is crucial for meeting the evolving demands of the labor market. It’s essential to ensure that the workforce is equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to drive innovation and sustainability in our industry.
Interesting article! How is Finland planning to cope with the increasing demand for education in the engineering and service sectors over the next two decades?
I believe that the increasing demand for more education in Finland, especially in the engineering and service sectors, is a positive sign of the country’s commitment to professionalizing its workforce and filling the gaps left by retiring workers. It’s essential to ensure that future labor market demands are met by providing the necessary educational opportunities and resources for individuals to thrive in these fields.
Do you think the increased focus on education in Finland will effectively address the future labor market demands? What measures are being taken to accommodate this need for more degrees?