Finland’s struggle to attract international talent has been highlighted in a recent survey conducted by Academic Engineers and Architects in Finland (TEK) and the Union of Professional Engineers in Finland (IL). The survey revealed that the ongoing societal debate about immigration has made as many as 89% of international technology experts working in the country feel concerned.
Only 52% of survey participants would recommend Finland as a place to live and work, with 81% believing that the country will not be a better place for migrants in five years. The survey, which included 1,000 members of the two unions, found that many have been employed in an expert capacity in Finland for several years.
Juhani Nokela, the director of public affairs at TEK, expressed concern about the situation, stating that Finland risks driving out those creating future economic growth. This decline in attractiveness to skilled labor has also worried employers and industry organizations in the country.
Despite positive aspects such as integration into society and work equality, respondents highlighted issues like discrimination in recruitment and limited career prospects. Recommendations included improving Finnish language skills and implementing anonymous recruitment practices to reduce bias.
With over 70 nationalities represented in the survey, the challenges faced by international experts in Finland underscore the importance of addressing these issues to maintain the country’s appeal as a destination for skilled talent.