Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centres) have handled their tasks well, albeit with room for improvement in the steering system and agency structure, states a newly published external evaluation report on the agency entity comprising the ELY Centres.

This autumn, the revised Labour Force Barometer focuses on the future prospects of the technology industry and the social welfare, health and wellbeing sectors. The greatest shortage of labour is in the health and social services sector, where skilled workers are needed for the care of older people, in particular. The outlook for the technology sector is expected to improve after next summer.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) published the results of its review on Finland’s energy policy on 5 May 2023. According to the review Finland’s nuclear and renewable power strengths provide a solid foundation for reaching its ambitious climate targets. The IEA conducts country reviews of its member countries’ energy policies every five years and issues recommendations for new policy measures.

In order to thwart the risk of prolonged unemployment, it is important that people who have been unemployed for longer than a year find work quickly. Long-term unemployment is often related to a diagnosis of an illness and lack of education. Education plays a minor role in the employment plans of the long-term unemployed.

A week-long visit of an expert group from the International Energy Agency (IEA) to Finland ended on 24 October 2022. The group was in Finland to assess the energy policy implemented and future prospects. This time, the country review focused on electrification, clean energy production and the promotion of hydrogen use.