Finland’s population is aging rapidly, and the current birth rate is insufficient to secure the availability of labor in the future. We need more skilled professionals, and labor migration plays a crucial role in maintaining the vitality and well-being of the region. But is the Helsinki metropolitan area attractive enough for international talent and their families? Johanna Larsson, an expert from the Helsinki Region Chamber of Commerce, shares insights on how to better integrate international professionals into the workforce and society.
More than half of Finland’s foreign-language speakers live in Uusimaa, and their number is expected to double by 2040. While migration increases the number of working-age residents, the number of children born in the Helsinki region continues to decline.
The competitiveness of the metropolitan area depends on how well we can attract and retain international talent and their families.
For the future of Finland and the competitiveness of businesses, it is essential that the Helsinki region remains attractive to labor migrants and their families. The relocation of a spouse or family member to Finland has a positive impact on integration into both society and the labor market.
Concrete Actions Are Needed to Attract International Talent
We have the means to address this challenge, provided that municipalities have the political will to act. However, solving the problem should not rest solely on municipalities—it requires collaboration between local governments and businesses.
As part of talent attraction efforts, it is crucial to ensure that international professionals’ children and young people have access to sufficient English-language early childhood education and school placements, including vocational education opportunities in English. Additionally, municipalities and the business sector must work together to support the rapid employment of spouses.
Language Learning Supports Integration
Another key solution is to streamline access to Finnish language education by collaborating with employers and offering digital language courses that international professionals can take before arriving in Finland. This facilitates their integration into Finnish society and the workforce.
Centralized Services Benefit Employers and Talent
Employer services should be consolidated into a single location, such as the International House Helsinki (IHH) service, where immigrants can efficiently handle official matters in one visit. This saves time and costs for individuals, authorities, and businesses alike. The IHH service could be expanded into a regional employer service hub focused on international labor, providing companies with seamless access to services from employment agencies, cities, educational institutions, Business Finland, Work in Finland, the Chamber of Commerce, ELY Centers, and staffing agencies.
Now Is the Time to Invest in Policies That Support International Talent
The competitiveness of the metropolitan area hinges on our ability to attract and retain international talent and their families. Now is the time to invest in the well-being of these families by increasing English-language education opportunities, facilitating spousal employment, and centralizing essential services. This is a prerequisite for ensuring the future competitiveness of the Helsinki region.
This article has been translated with AI. You can find the original article from here.
