A representative from the Chemical Industry Federation of Finland said that they needed to use all possible solutions to meet the demand for skilled professionals.
Several international companies in Vaasa expressed their support for the application, as they believe that the program is necessary for the development of the electrical automation field in the region. This field is critical for the upcoming investments in the field of battery technology in Vaasa.
The rejection of the application is disappointing, given the shortage of skilled professionals in our industry. A representative from the Association of Finnish Battery Manufacturers said that we need to find new ways to train our workforce.
Many educational institutions are questioning whether it is worth it to apply for English-language training program licenses, given the possibility of rejection.
There is a lot of effort and resources required to apply for a license for an English-language training program. A representative from a local vocational school said if well prepared applications are automatically rejected, it is hard to justify the effort required to apply.
The battery industry expects to need between 5,000 and 7,000 professionals over the next five years, with approximately 70% of these professionals required vocational training. English-language training programs can play a critical role in addressing this challenge, as a shortage of skilled professionals is a significant challenge for the industry.
We need to work together to make sure that the Ministry understands the needs of our industry. A representative from the Association of Finnish Battery Manufacturers said that the green transition is a priority for Finland and English-language training programs are essential to meet the demand for skilled professionals.