Talent Talks: Samuli Miettinen

Photo: At the Emigration Expo in the Netherlands in 2024, the North Savo team included (from left): Henna Halmetvaara (Talent First), Seliina Varis (EURES), Samuli Miettinen (EURES), Minna Mykkänen (PSHVA), and Reetta Airaksinen (Talent First).

Listen to Samuli’s interview (on Savon Aallot, March 4, 2026)

Samuli Miettinen works as a business advisor at the Eastern Finland Economic Development Centre and has collaborated over the years with regional, national, and international actors. He has accumulated extensive knowledge about issues related to recruiting international talent. In the interview, Samuli talks about the importance of cooperation and how the current economic situation has affected the recruitment of international workforce. He also discusses what companies should prepare for when looking toward the future.

It is important to recognize that skilled workers will be needed from outside Finland in the near future, as the country’s own population will not be sufficient to meet labor demand. When attracting international talent to Finland, the same pull factors also emerge at the regional level: work–life balance, cleanliness, safety, nature, and education.

Samuli advises companies that it is essential to focus on what international talents bring with them. They are the future of our region and, in addition to their expertise, they bring new ideas and perspectives.

Interviewer Anssi Saarelainen, Savon Aallot.

Listen to all the interviews: Talent Talks – Talent First