Studies and reports in North Savo

Talent First has carried out several studies in North Savo to map the talent situation, the availability of skilled professionals, and the prerequisites for regional cooperation. Below you will find the reports listed from the most recent to the oldest. All reports were conducted during 2025–2026.

For most of the studies (with the exception of the two most recent ones), a approximately 30-minute webinar (in Finnish) is also available on our YouTube channel under the Webinars playlist.

International recruitment service pathway in North Savo

The International Recruitment Service Pathway Study in North Savo examines the different stages of international recruitment, the services available to employers, and the key challenges encountered throughout the process. The study shows that international recruitment has become an established practice for many employers in the region, although levels of experience, preparedness, and organisational practices vary considerably between companies. International professionals and students already living in Finland were identified as an important recruitment channel for regional employers.

A key finding of the study is that while a wide range of services supporting international recruitment exists, employers often perceive the service landscape as fragmented and difficult to navigate. Particular development needs relate to settlement support, administrative and permit processes, and coordination between different service providers. The report also highlights the importance of successful integration of employees and their families, as settlement and everyday life play a crucial role in long-term retention and regional attractiveness.

Read the article and explore the report.

The report was publishes in June 2026, by Ramboll.

External evaluation of the Talent First project: a strong foundation has been built for future talent attraction work in North Savo

The external evaluation of the Talent First project shows that a solid foundation has been successfully established for long-term talent attraction efforts in North Savo. The most significant achievement of the project is the substantial strengthening of regional cooperation: stakeholders have been brought together, trust and shared understanding have increased, and concrete structures and networks have been created to support continued collaboration beyond the project period.

The evaluation also highlights strong performance in data-driven management and communications. The knowledge produced during the project has refined the understanding of talent needs and the labour market situation, providing a solid basis for decision-making. At the same time, high-quality and professional communications have enhanced the region’s visibility, particularly among international talent. Overall, the project has succeeded in creating a practical operating model supported by concrete tools, which will continue to strengthen the region’s attractiveness and retention capacity in the future.

Read the article and explore the external evaluation report.

The report was published in May 2026. The external evaluation was carried out by Owal Group.

International recruitment is not growing as expected – language requirements and market conditions are slowing development

According to a survey of companies in North Savo, the development of international recruitment has not met expectations, although recruitment remains relevant for nearly half of the region’s companies. Progress is particularly slowed by the overall economic situation and strict language requirements, which limit the available talent pool. At the same time, companies remain growth-oriented, but recruitment demand has slightly decreased, and an increasing number of companies are not currently recruiting actively.

The results also show that challenges related to the availability of labour persist. Recruitment is especially hindered by skills gaps, limited work experience, and factors related to regional attractiveness and working conditions. Overall, the situation is twofold: while companies continue to pursue growth and require skilled employees, market conditions and structural barriers are slowing development and the wider utilisation of international talent.

Read the article and explore the survey results.

The report was published in May 2026. The company survey was conducted by Pondata.

Leading industries and ecosystems in North Savo

Ecosystem studies in North Savo highlight the region’s leading industries, companies operating within them, networks, and strengths. They provide companies and professionals considering locating in the region with a clearer picture of the opportunities in North Savo and guide further ecosystem development.

The study examined ecosystems in four industries as well as the industrial ecosystem of North Savo. The industries reviewed were ICT, the technology industry, tourism, and well-being technology and healthcare. The ecosystems were analyzed based on available data and interviews. Industries were examined on three levels: doing, experimenting, and visibility. Doing refers to the identified key industries and examples of companies operating within them. Experimenting highlights research and development activities and educational opportunities related to the key industries. Visibility brings together networks, forums, and events related to the industries.

Read the article and the North Savo Ecosystem Study (PDF, 2025)
Download the infographics (PDF)

The study report was published in May 2025. The report was prepared by MDI Public c/o FCG Finnish Consulting Group Ltd.

International recruitment delivers results – SMEs emphasize courage, practicality, and community

PIKEUS project study: SMEs and Foreign Workforce in Finland. How practical experiences can be learned from – and what companies truly need when recruiting international talent. (An information session is also available.)

SMEs that have already recruited international talent report diverse and concrete benefits. Recruitment has enabled companies to continue operations, expand, find specialized expertise, and serve new customer groups both in Finland and internationally. In smaller localities, international recruitment has been vital for many companies. Work communities have also benefited: workplace atmosphere has improved, processes have become clearer, and problem-solving capacity has strengthened.

Read the article and download the presentation.

Companies in North Savo show willingness to grow

A company survey commissioned by the Talent First project (2–28 April 2025) examined the views of companies in North Savo on talent needs, international recruitment, and the region’s attractiveness and retention factors.

A total of 190 companies from across North Savo participated in the study. Companies highlighted challenges related to the availability of skilled workforce as well as factors affecting recruitment processes. The results show that workforce availability is not only a quantitative but also a qualitative issue, with challenges related to education, attitudes, and the attractiveness of certain industries.

One key finding was that the potential of recruiting international talent remains underutilized by many companies. Reasons cited included language requirements, the characteristics of Finnish-language work environments, and prioritization of domestic workforce. At the same time, companies that already employ international staff reported mostly positive experiences.

Companies consider the development of North Savo’s attractiveness and retention factors important. Service availability, safety, good location, and housing availability ranked among the four most important factors supporting regional attractiveness. In addition, 81% of companies consider regional network cooperation at least fairly necessary.

The study report was published in April 2025. The report was prepared by Feelback.

Read the full article and download the report.

Developing the settlement process strengthens attractiveness and retention

A study completed in North Savo on the regional settlement process and related services deepens the understanding of how work- and education-based immigrants settle in the region and the structures that support integration. The report highlights experiences related to the smoothness and challenges of settling in and presents concrete development proposals for actors in North Savo.

The study focused particularly on the pathways of work- and education-based immigrants, including those already living in Finland and seasonal workers, as well as international students in North Savo. In addition, spouses of the target groups and Finnish-born migrants were taken into account.

Three development proposals for regional stakeholders:

• A regular forum for settlement services that brings together key regional actors to strengthen communication and cooperation.

• Involving international students in development work through permanent structures and more effective communication.-

• Describing location-specific settlement processes for international students to improve understanding of the process and facilitate access to services during the initial phase.

The study report was published in April 2025. The report was prepared by MDI Public c/o FCG Finnish Consulting Group Ltd.

Read the article and download the report.

Region-wide cooperation in attracting talent in North Savo requires leadership

This study presents an up-to-date picture of the talent needs and cooperation readiness of companies in North Savo. Based on interviews and extensive survey data, the report shows that the talent shortage has not disappeared but is expected to grow according to foresight data. Companies clearly expressed a need for more coordinated regional cooperation to attract talent.

The report highlights that although international recruitment is increasing, especially in the Kuopio area, many small companies still find it too burdensome. The main obstacles identified include language requirements, insufficient integration services, and bureaucracy. In attracting and retaining international talent, local services such as employment opportunities for spouses and the availability of everyday life in English play a decisive role.

While cooperation exists at many levels in North Savo, companies call for coordination that unites the entire region. Currently, activities are fragmented and often focused on the same companies. The lack of a clear coordinating body makes participation and commitment more difficult. The report recommends appointing an actor in North Savo to bring together companies, municipalities, employment areas, and educational institutions.

The study report was published in April 2025. The report was prepared by Männikkömetsä Oy.

Read the article and download the report.

Training and support services that strengthen recruitment enhance the availability of skilled workforce in North Savo

A comprehensive study has been completed in North Savo on the range of training and support services offered to regional companies that support the recruitment of skilled workforce and the development of employee competence. The report produced by the Talent First project compiles up-to-date information on, among other things, educational cooperation, employment services, continuous learning opportunities, and support services for international workforce.

The report also highlights the importance of support services in reaching skilled professionals. Employment area services such as Kuopio’s Työnavigaattori, recruitment and internationalization services provided by ELY Centres, and platforms enabling student collaboration, such as Opiskelijatoihin.fi and Aarresaari, support companies in finding the right talent. Recruitment events, internship and apprenticeship models, and project-based cooperation provide concrete ways to respond to workforce availability challenges.

The study report was published in March 2025. The report was prepared by MDI Public c/o FCG Finnish Consulting Group Ltd.

Read the article and download the report.

Attractiveness and retention in North Savo are built through cooperation

The Talent First project organized workshops for four strategic industries in North Savo – tourism, well-being technology and healthcare, ICT, and the technology industry – where experts from educational institutions, municipalities, and companies examined ways to attract talent to the region through co-creation.

The latest report compiles the results of the workshops, interprets them from the perspectives of regional development and attractiveness work, and presents conclusions and action proposals for regional decision-making.

Proposed actions for development work include:

• Strategic attractiveness work needs structures: a shared direction and commitment, an inspiring vision, and a narrative that guides regional strategy and its key objectives.

• Building talent pathways requires concrete actions and a responsible coordinating body.

• Enabling a new culture of experimentation requires small-scale – even bold – pilots that are supported with funding and visibility.

Read the press release and download the report.

Talent City Index (TCI) North Savo

The Talent City Index (TCI) North Savo study explores the attractiveness of North Savo and its municipalities from the perspective of talent and potential movers. The survey gathered responses from 1,237 participants and examined the region’s strengths, relocation intentions, and the factors influencing decisions on where to live and work. According to the results, Kuopio ranked seventh among Finland’s most attractive cities, while Iisalmi placed ninth in the small cities category. Safety, sustainability, quality of life, and family-friendliness emerged as some of North Savo’s strongest assets.

The study identifies safety as the region’s most significant competitive advantage. Kuopio ranked among Finland’s leading cities in terms of perceived safety, while Iisalmi also performed strongly in the comparison of smaller cities. The findings further suggest that North Savo has considerable potential to attract talent from neighbouring regions. Strengthening the region’s attractiveness and retention efforts should therefore build on its distinctive qualities, including safety, quality of life, access to nature, and diverse career opportunities.

Read the article and explore the report.