International talent is key to regional growth and competitiveness

04.11.2025

The event International talent and competitiveness in Northern Savonia on October 31, 2025, sparked great interest and brought together a full room of employers and experts from the region. The event was organized in collaboration with Talent First, the North Savo ELY Centre, Talent Hub Eastern Finland, Business Finland, and the Future Labor Markets ESR+ Coordination Project.

The topics discussed were highly relevant to the current and future workforce situation in Northern Savonia. International talent is needed for the region to remain vibrant and competitive.

The event was opened by Leading Expert Rasmus Aro (MDI) with a presentation on the demographic shift in Northern Savonia and the significance of labor migration. Aro highlighted recent changes in the working-age population, using the latest figures. He showed what the demographic transition practically means and how this development will continue into the future. Aro emphasized that Northern Savonia essentially has two options—either attract working-age people from elsewhere or adapt to a shrinking workforce.

The sharp decline in the working-age population is a challenge for the entire country. Attracting international talent into the labor market is essential and critical to the region’s survival. This necessity brings with it urgent changes to regional services, the reception of international labor, and support for diversity. The aging population wave must be addressed now.

“Population growth and skilled labor are needed from outside Finland. The current level of immigration is not sufficient to replace the decrease in the working-age population. Without immigration, there is no opportunity for growth in the region,” Aro stressed.

Aro also reminded the audience of the region’s attraction and retention power. Without one, there is no other. Northern Savonia must respond to both challenges.

Getting to know global talent markets

At the event, Laura Lindeman from Work in Finland shared their services and discussed perspectives on recruiting international talent as a driver of business growth. Additionally, the Talent Managers presented opportunities for labor migration from India, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Brazil. Talent Managers are looking for reliable recruitment partners in these countries and offering advisory services to businesses related to these target countries.

The event also featured EURES’s international recruitment services for companies, as well as the operational model of Talent Hub Eastern Finland, which supports the employment and integration of international talent in the region.

Talent is already here – It must be retained

Parastoo Jalili provided an international talent perspective from someone who has lived in Northern Savonia for a longer time. She shared her personal story of integrating into the small city of Kuopio from a large metropolis and highlighted the challenges of retaining international professionals and students. Parastoo emphasized that the region already has significant international potential, which should be better utilized, and investments should be made in retaining those who stay.

Around 2,500 international students are enrolled in the region’s universities, including the University of Eastern Finland and Savonia University of Applied Sciences, and about 80 percent of them want to stay in the region. However, more than half are forced to leave, often due to poor employment opportunities.

The event was concluded with a presentation from the Savas Foundation, which showcased their example of international recruitment, and Aileen Salmeti, hired via a pilot program, shared her experiences with Finnish working life.

The event comprehensively presented the current and future need for international talent from various perspectives, the challenges of retaining and attracting workers, and services for employers to support their recruitment efforts.

The event reinforced the belief that the key to regional growth is attracting sufficient labor, which requires international talent. The time to act is now.