Finnish Food and Drink Industries’ Federation (ETL) surveyed its member companies in early spring on their labour and skills needs over the next three years. The results are clear: food industry is expected to continue growing, and number of employees will increase in the coming years.
Growth is driven by domestic demand, investments, and a recovery in exports. At the same time, food and drink companies are investing significantly more in developing their employees’ skills than companies in Finland on average.
– Food industry is a major employer and a builder of growth for Finland as a whole. A developing sector needs new talent now and in the future, says Anne Somer, director at ETL.
Regional differences remain
Although the availability of labour has recently improved in many areas in Finland, there are still regional differences in access to skilled workers, and in some regions companies even report shortages of talent. Companies estimate that as the economy picks up more broadly, competition for skilled professionals will intensify further.
According to the survey, recruitment in food companies will continue to focus strongly on operational-level roles in the coming years. Currently, around 70 per cent of the workforce in the sector consists of skilled workers. Positions opened through retirements and new roles are mainly filled by professionals with a similar level of education.
Digitalisation is transforming work – skills must be updated
Food companies identified digitalisation and artificial intelligence as the most significant trends affecting their business. However, these are not expected to reduce the number of jobs significantly, but rather to change the nature of work.
Digitalisation increases the need for continuous skills development. Training is therefore part of everyday life in food companies: only about 10 per cent of employees do not participate in training. This share is clearly lower than the national average, as according to Eurostat, around 40 per cent of the working population in Finland does not take part in training.
– In food industry, skills are developed in a long-term and systematic way. Companies cooperate closely, particularly with vocational education institutions, which benefits both working life and education providers, Somer says.
International talent becoming increasingly important
The importance of international talent in the food industry is growing. In the survey, 40 per cent of companies estimated that the share of international employees will increase, while 60 per cent expect it to remain at the current level.
Companies emphasised that the availability of international talent must be improved. For example, permit processes should be streamlined, and labour market testing requirements should be removed.
Education and working life go hand in hand
Companies identified learning ability and motivation, problem-solving skills, and versatility as the most important generic skills for the future. Among specific competencies, food safety, sales and marketing expertise, and quality management were highlighted as key areas.
Further information
