Finnish competitiveness Markku Koponen Director of Education and Training Confederation of Finnish Industries EK International Degree Program Seminar Helsinki

Markku Koponen 2 Changing operational environment places challenges on education systems Globalisation Ageing of labour and societies Mobility of labour; Immigrants; Multiculturalism Accelarating change in working life – Changing competence needs Significance of SME`s

Markku Koponen 3 Companies suffering from recruitment difficulties percentage of EK member companies Source: Labour release 2005, EK

Markku Koponen 4 Reasons for recruiting difficulties in EK member companies % of companies suffering from recruiting difficulties Source: Labour release 2005, EK

Markku Koponen 5 Educational level of Finnish population – 64 –years olds Source: Statistics Finland, Educational institution statistics 2004

Markku Koponen 6 Population that has attained tertiary education (2004) Percentage, by age group Source: Education at a Glance, OECD Indicators 2006

Markku Koponen 7 Predicted educational structure for recruiting in EK member companies (total) in 2005 *includes those being recruited for apprenticeship training or vocational training Source: ”Skilled personnel for business”, EK 2005

Markku Koponen 8 Boundaries between occupational categories becoming blurred Implementers: Responsible for assembly, installation, servicing, sales, etc. Appliers: Responsible for product testing and customization, etc. Seers: Responsible for creation, development and renewal of technology, etc.

Markku Koponen 9 Individual Sectors Converge IT services Financing and insurance Social and health care services Accommodation and catering Wholesale and retail trade Real estate services

Markku Koponen 10 Services to be created are around a technologic product Servicing and repairs 24-hour standby Consumer goods Process consultation Maintenance and consultation agreements Training Financing Renewal and retailing Establishment, use, maintenance Relocation and re-installation Hardware options and updating Installation and start-up Spare parts Administration Source: BestServ, adaptation Technological product

Markku Koponen 11 New Dimensions of Competences Educational level Multiple skills Core know-how

Markku Koponen 12 Competences contributing to corporate competitiveness Business competence Technological competence Values and attitudes Networks Creativity and innovation Service competence Network competence Management of multiculturalism Responsible business Special competence /multiple skills or interdisciplinary approach Design competence

Markku Koponen 13 Emphasis on polytechnic areas of study/degrees for EK member companies * e.g. bachelor of hospitality management, bachelor of social service and nurse Source: ”Skilled personnel for business”, EK 2005

Markku Koponen 14 Forecast recruitment need from polytechnics in 2005 Source: ”Skilled personnel for business”, EK 2005

Markku Koponen 15 Workplace-orientation the core of polytechnic studies Higher education is developed as an entity based on a dual model The delegation of responsibilities for universities and polytechnics is clearly defined Regional networking and co-operation of institutions of higher education Redundancies in university and polytechnic studies must be eliminated At universities the master level degree is the primary degree used in the working life Polytechnic graduates should enter the workplace after receiving a bachelor polytechnic degree

Markku Koponen 16 Finnish degree system of higher education UniversitiesPolytechnics Years/ credits Bachelor Master Working life Doctor Bachelor- level Working life Master level Working life

Markku Koponen 17 Student Placements Objectives from the point of view of enterprise –Develop positive corporate image –Get to know and assess potential employees –Transfer know-how from institutions of education to the enterprise (and vice versa)

Markku Koponen 18 Successful traineeship / student placement Close cooperation between enterprise, teacher and student Clear profile and position with the opportunity to learn and grow Clear agreements, objectives and schedules Task evaluation and performance assessment linked with development advice Linked to the future staffing needs

Markku Koponen 19 Vision: Finland is one of the most competitive countries in the world. Our country’s welfare is based on an open economy, successful companies and the strong capabilities of our people. Confederation of Finnish Industries EK

Markku Koponen 20 Open economy Effective administration Growth-promoting economic policy Revitalised welfare society Successful companies Promotion of entrepre- neurship Solid economic base Well-functioning labour market EK strategic messages Strong capabilities Top-quality education Skilled management Dynamic environment for innovation EK is working to achieve unparalleled competitiveness

Markku Koponen 21 Strong capabilities Top-quality education Skilled management Dynamic environment for innovation EK is working to achieve unparalleled competitiveness Knowledge of business Development of workplace community Attractive compensation packages for employees Opportunities for multi-channel learning High-quality content Proper supply of skilled people R&D financing Networking and partnerships Advanced research that can be utilised in business EK strategic messages

Markku Koponen 22 Finland, Home of Succesful Companies