Our goal: 70% of young adults with higher education – investing in Finland’s future
In the global competition ahead, Finland’s strength will lie in its people. Our success will depend on how well we invest in skills, knowledge and the ability to adapt.
That is why we at Technology Industries of Finland believe that by 2040, 70% of young adults in Finland should have achieved a level of competence that enables them to work in roles that require higher education.
This is not a distant vision. It is a concrete choice that needs to be made now. Education decisions take years to show results, so postponing action would only limit our future options.
This does not mean everyone should aim for a master’s degree. It means building flexible learning paths and recognising different forms of learning and expertise. It also means making sure that the education system supports continuous development and offers second chances, even after the first degree.
Finland’s long-term growth depends on our ability to raise the overall level of competence. Both the Bank of Finland and the FLUX research consortium have highlighted how education can offset the effects of low birth rates and help secure sustainable growth. We already see this in our sector. At least 65% of the growing demand for expertise in the technology industry is focused on people with higher education backgrounds. And when large, and highly educated, age groups retire in the 2040s, the need for new professionals will only increase.
Improving access to education must go hand in hand with sufficient resources. Growth in student numbers cannot come at the expense of quality. Both public and private investments are needed. This is not just a cost, it is a long-term investment. The returns will show in stronger companies, better innovations and higher tax revenues.
Vocational training and higher education are not in conflict. We need both. Vocational training must remain strong, and more graduates from those programmes should be able to continue to higher education. Everyone’s path is different, and our systems need to support that.
There is much discussion about artificial intelligence, robotics and automation and how they will change work. It is true that we do not yet know exactly what jobs will look like in ten years. But we do know that the ability to learn, adapt and apply knowledge will be essential. This is where education plays a key role. We need to equip people not only with qualifications, but with the skills to keep learning throughout their lives.
Now is the time to act. Let’s invest in people and their skills. That is how we secure Finland’s growth and well-being for the years to come.
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