10 Most In-Demand Skills in Finland for 2026

In 2026, Finland stands as one of the most employee-friendly countries in the world, renowned for its exceptional living standards and competitive salaries. However, this status is juxtaposed with a pressing challenge: a critical shortage of skilled professionals to drive the nation’s economic growth and innovation.

Recent research on the Finnish labor market reveals that a significant portion of the workforce is nearing retirement, creating a widening gap in expertise across industries. Compounding this issue is the mismatch between the skills of job seekers and the demands of modern organizations. Many candidates lack the specialized training, relevant work experience, or cutting-edge technical expertise required to meet the evolving needs of the Finnish economy.

For organizational leaders, this reality underscores the urgent need for strategic talent acquisition, workforce upskilling, and investment in emerging competencies. From addressing skill shortages in IT and AI to bolstering sectors like healthcare and cybersecurity, organizations must proactively align their human capital strategies with the future demands of the Finnish market.

This article explores the top 10 in-demand skills in Finland, offering insights into how these capabilities can empower individuals to thrive and enable organizations to remain competitive in a dynamic global landscape.

What’s New

Discover the latest updates to our blog! Last revised on

• Cybersecurity Skills - Read more!
• AI Skills - Read more!
• Data Analysis Skills - Read more!
• Case Study: Silo AI's Development of Poro 34B - Read more!
• Frequently Asked Questions - Read more!

Which Skills are in demand in Finland?

According to the latest report by the European Labour Authority Finland is facing a shortage of workers in 30+ professions in 2023-2024.

These are mostly healthcare, IT, teaching etc. Let's see some of the most in-demand skills in Finland.

1. Cybersecurity Skills

The Russia-Ukraine war has made cybersecurity more important in Finland, and there is a huge demand for professionals in this field. With global cyber threats rising, cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue; it is a critical business risk.

• For Critical Infrastructure: Finnish energy companies use cybersecurity protocols to protect power grids and prevent disruptions.
• In Finance: Banks in Finland rely on advanced cybersecurity measures to safeguard customer data and comply with EU data protection regulations.

According to Statista, the Finnish cybersecurity market will grow significantly. However, Nucamp reports that Finland faces a shortage of cybersecurity roles, including cybersecurity analysts, penetration testers, and network security engineers.

Addressing cybersecurity skill gaps ensures robust protection of digital assets, reducing risks of financial and reputational loss. Finnish leaders should incorporate cybersecurity expertise into organizational resilience plans and prioritize talent acquisition in this area. Partnerships with cybersecurity training institutions, like Oulu Vocational College, can help bridge these gaps.

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Skills You Will Build

Network security, Risk management, Cyber threat detection

2. Green Energy & Sustainability Skills

Finland is experiencing an unprecedented renewable energy boom, positioning itself as a European leader in the green transition. According to the OECD's 2026 Economic Survey, Finland has a strong comparative advantage in cheap renewable electricity and excellence in engineering innovation, making the country uniquely positioned to accelerate productivity and transition to green industry. The nation is committed to doubling its clean electricity production, with offshore wind capacity reaching almost 9 GW by 2026.

Finland's hydrogen economy is projected to create up to 240,000 jobs and add €69 billion in value to the economy.(Source: Kemianteollisuus ry)

Civil, mechanical, and electrical engineers are in exceptionally high demand, particularly for infrastructure projects and renewable energy initiatives. The sector requires professionals skilled in sustainable energy systems, environmental impact assessment, and green technology implementation. Finland's commitment to carbon neutrality by 2035 has created urgent demand for sustainability consultants, energy efficiency specialists, and renewable energy project managers across both public and private sectors.

3. AI Skills

The demand for AI skills in Finland is booming. Research says nearly 1.7 million jobs will be created by AI innovations like generative AI. To do those jobs, the workforce has to upskill and re-skill in artificial intelligence. Organizations in Finland are leveraging AI to drive efficiencies and transform industries such as manufacturing and healthcare. For instance:

In Manufacturing: AI enables predictive maintenance by analyzing data from machinery, reducing downtime and operational costs. Finnish firms like Kone have implemented AI-driven systems to enhance elevator performance and streamline logistics.

In Healthcare: AI supports early diagnosis and personalized treatment plans by analyzing patient data. Finnish startups in digital health are using AI to reduce diagnostic errors and improve patient outcomes.

In fact, Generative AI is projected to contribute an additional €20-25 billion to Finland's GDP in the coming years.

This shows the potential of AI in Finland's economy, but there is a big gap in the availability of AI professionals with expertise in AI and ML. As the market grows, the demand for these skills outpaces the supply, so AI is one of the most in-demand skills in Finland.

Integrating AI into operations allows organizations to remain competitive by enhancing productivity and fostering innovation. Leaders should prioritize training programs to upskill employees in AI tools and methodologies to ensure seamless adoption.

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4. Data Analysis Skills

According to the experts in the Finnish market, the healthcare sector is facing a big shortage of data analysts. And, this shortage is driven by the fact that the healthcare data is increasing rapidly and data driven decision making is becoming a norm in almost all the sectors in Finland. 

In fact, Finland is one of the top European countries in need of data analysts, and the number of job openings in this domain will grow heavily in the coming years. Organizations must embed a data-driven culture by equipping employees with analytics skills. Leaders can integrate tools like Tableau or Power BI into daily workflows and measure ROI through improved decision-making accuracy and efficiency.

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5. IT Skills

Although the Finnish workforce has the highest percentage of professionals in Europe (7.6%) in the IT sector, this is not enough to meet the growing demand, due to skill gaps.

Businesses are digitising and IT infrastructures are getting more complex and there is a shortage of skilled IT professionals.

Although there is a high concentration of IT talent, the Finnish market can't keep up with the pace of technology and therefore there is an urgent need for more IT specialists.

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System Administration, Cloud Technologies, Programming, Cybersecurity

6. Digital Health Skills

Finland's digital health sector is experiencing remarkable growth, driven by the country's advanced healthcare digitalization and commitment to innovative medical technologies. The nation has achieved an impressive 82% basic digital skills coverage compared to the EU average of 55.6%, creating a strong foundation for digital health innovation. Finland is strategically pooling its digital health expertise to break into international markets, focusing on secondary use of social and health data and advanced technology solutions.

Finland's digital health market revenue is projected to reach $351.85 million in 2025, with an expected annual growth rate of 5.68% (CAGR 2025-2030).(Source: Statista Market Forecast)

The growing demand focuses on professionals who can work with eHealth systems, telemedicine platforms, and digital patient data management. Healthcare organizations seek specialists in health informatics, digital therapeutics, and AI-powered diagnostic tools. The sector particularly values professionals who can bridge the gap between healthcare delivery and technology implementation, ensuring seamless integration of digital solutions in clinical environments while maintaining patient privacy and regulatory compliance.

7. Business Administration Skills

Business administration is a highly valued skill in Finland, where efficient management and strategic oversight are crucial for both local and global business competitiveness. As Finnish companies adapt to digital transformation, international trade, and evolving market demands, the need for skilled professionals who can manage operations, finances, and strategic planning has grown significantly. 

This skill is particularly sought after for roles in management, sales, and customer service, where leadership, organizational abilities, and effective communication are essential. In this context, business administration stands out as a vital skill driving the success of businesses in Finland.

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Skills You Will Build

Financial Management for Non-Financial Managers, Organizational Development

8. Construction Skills

The Finnish construction industry is in a critical shortage of workers. The demand for construction workers will increase and thousands of job openings will be available in the coming years.

To be exact, the real estate and construction sector will see 130,000–140,000 new job openings between 2020 and 2040.

This need is driven by ongoing and upcoming infrastructure projects and replacing an ageing workforce.

Construction industry is key to Finland's growth and solving the shortage of skills in this sector is crucial for the country's development. Which is why it's one of the most sought after skills in Finland.

9. Cleantech & Bioeconomy Skills

Finland has established itself as a global front-runner in cleantech, leveraging its technology expertise, resource efficiency, and strategic geographical location. The country's bioeconomy sector is driving innovation in sustainable materials, fungi-based proteins, and circular economy solutions. Finland's cleantech industry combines traditional strengths in forest products with cutting-edge innovations in green hydrogen, carbon capture technologies, and sustainable manufacturing processes.

The H2 Cluster has identified 70 key roles essential for developing a competitive hydrogen economy, with job growth potential of 60,000-110,000 positions in Finland's hydrogen sector by 2035.(Source: Hydrogen Cluster Finland)

The sector demands professionals skilled in biotechnology, sustainable chemistry, and environmental engineering. Roles span from research and development positions focusing on bio-based materials to project management roles overseeing large-scale cleantech implementations. Companies particularly seek experts in life cycle assessment, sustainable supply chain management, and regulatory compliance for environmental technologies.

The integration of digital technologies with traditional bioeconomy sectors creates unique opportunities for professionals who understand both biological processes and advanced data analytics.

10. Teaching Skills

Shortage of qualified teachers is a big problem in all Nordic countries, including Finland. Finland has a big shortage of subject teachers and it's affecting the quality of education.

In Finland, subject areas like maths, science, and technology are the most affected, and there's a big gap between the number of qualified teachers and the demand for these subjects. This is the same in many other Nordic countries where they're facing the same challenge.

How to Boost your Skills for the Finnish Job Market?

As mentioned above some trades have more of a skill shortage than a labour shortage in the Finnish market. So upskilling could be very helpful in getting into these high paid professions. But how can you acquire these skills, right?

You can rely on vocational training institutes to master a specific trade and get hired by Finnish companies. Here are some of the institutions where you can learn these skills.

• Omnia Education Partnership 
• Helsinki vocational college and adult institute
• Tampere Vocational College Tredu
• Oulu Vocational College (Oulun seudun ammattiopisto)

Case Study: Silo AI's Development of Poro 34B

Challenge: The European Union (EU) faces significant language diversity, with 24 official languages creating barriers to seamless cross-border communication and collaboration. Finnish organizations, particularly SMEs and multinational companies, often struggle with operational inefficiencies and miscommunication in cross-border business activities. This language gap challenges customer interactions, market expansion, and compliance with multilingual EU regulations.

Additionally, existing AI language models often lack proficiency in Finnish, a less commonly spoken language, limiting their usefulness for local and regional applications.

Overview: Silo AI, a leading private AI lab in Finland, spearheaded an initiative to address these challenges by developing a large-language model, Poro 34B. The project was undertaken in collaboration with a consortium of organizations and leveraged LUMI, Europe’s most powerful supercomputer, located in Finland. The primary goal was to create an AI model proficient in both Finnish and English to facilitate seamless multilingual communication and enhance the usability of AI-driven solutions for Finnish businesses and public services.

Solution:

1. Advanced AI Training:
Poro 34B was developed using cutting-edge natural language processing (NLP) techniques. The LUMI supercomputer enabled the training of this large-language model at unprecedented speeds, ensuring high accuracy and efficiency in handling complex multilingual tasks.

2. Focus on Local Needs:
The model was tailored to address specific linguistic nuances and terminologies unique to Finnish, enabling more precise translations and contextual understanding.

3. Collaboration and Innovation:
The initiative brought together key stakeholders from academia, industry, and government, ensuring a wide-ranging application of the model across sectors like healthcare, public administration, and cross-border commerce.‍

Outcome:

1. Enhanced Cross-Border Communication:
Poro 34B significantly improved the ability of Finnish companies to operate in multilingual EU markets, fostering smoother interactions with international customers and partners.

2. Support for Public Services:
Finnish government agencies began utilizing Poro 34B to provide multilingual support in public administration, improving accessibility for citizens and businesses.

3. Strategic Competitive Advantage:
The model positioned Finland as a leader in AI innovation within the EU, showcasing the country’s capability to address regional challenges with scalable solutions.

Increased Efficiency: Businesses reported reduced costs and time savings in translation and localization processes, enhancing overall operational efficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary

The above-mentioned skills are key to being competitive in the changing Finnish job market. Master skills like, data analysis, AI, green technologies, cybersecurity, teaching and healthcare to boost your career, and contribute to global challenges.

To get these essential skills, explore vocational training programs that deliver specialised hands-on education that meets industry needs. Investing in vocational training makes you more employable and prepares you for the changing workforce.

For companies looking for a reliable partner in skill development, Edstellar is the way to go. They offer industry specific training to keep your team ahead.

Courses designed by experts and interactive learning Edstellar offers services, including skill gap analysis with our Skill Matrix Tool and personal executive coaching. 

Trust Edstellar to boost your team's skills and success.