On March 24th 2026, the Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment recently hosted a high-profile press conference and networking event, bringing together 48 key stakeholders both onsite and online – primarily from the VET (Vocational Education and Training) and HEI (Higher education Institutions) – focused on the future of the Finnish economy and the MOSAIC paper “From Skills to Applied Research Ecosystems: Strengthening Competences for Productivity and Economic Growth”.
What does the paper say?
With the Finnish Ministry as a key contributor, this paper argues that the primary barrier to European SME innovation is the lack of systemic arrangements that make applied research a permanent function of vocational and applied higher education. By analysing the fragmented implementation of EU skills agendas and comparing models from France, the Basque Country, and Canada, the authors highlight the Finnish case as a prime example of using international benchmarking to drive institutional reform. Reflecting this strategic shift, Finland is currently preparing two pilot centers inspired by the Canadian model – moving these insights from observation to operationalisation to strengthen regional innovation and economic growth. The research concludes that moving beyond episodic, project-based interventions toward stable, institutionalised interfaces between education and applied research is essential for sustaining SME productivity and innovation capacity in an era of rapid technological change.
Visit this page to download the paper and follow the journey >>
Key Highlights from the Press Conference
- Finnish Economic Outlook: Director Markku Lahtinen (Helsinki Chamber of Commerce) opened the session, followed by an urgent briefing on the latest unemployment figures, the educational mismatch to respond to skills needs and the current trajectory of the Finnish economy by Under-Secretary of State Elina Pylkkänen (Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment).
- The CCTT Mission: Ola Kukkasniemi, (Founder Wooden Oy and contributor to the paper), shared the journey of the CTTC mission, detailing how a collaborative vision evolved into the influential research paper presented at the event.
- High-Level Insights: Pilvi Torsti, Director of the European Training Foundation (ETF), was interviewed, providing a broader European perspective on the Finnish initiative and highlighting the recurring theme of educational mismatch in responding to skills.
- Innovation in Practice:
- Centria University of Applied Sciences: Marko Forsell demonstrated the success of their latest pilot program, showcasing how academic institutions are adapting to industry needs.
- Hetitec Oy Success Story: Illustrated their transformation from a traditional metal casting company to a high-tech industry leader. Their partnership with VET providers not only fueled “skyrocketing” growth but also played a pivotal role in saving metal casting education in Finland.
The event sparked significant engagement across social media, cementing its status as one of our most impactful gatherings to date. We look forward to continuing this momentum with our MOSAIC partners and stakeholder network.
This research arrives at a pivotal moment for the European Union. In the wake of the 2024 Draghi Report and the subsequent “Competitiveness Compass” roadmap, the EU has identified the “innovation gap” and stagnant productivity as its most urgent economic threats. Finland serves as a stark microcosm of these challenges with unemployment surpassing 10%, Finland faces a deepening labour crisis. More concerning than the headline figure is the rise of structural unemployment, now hovering around 8%. This suggests a growing segment of the workforce whose skills no longer align with market demands, risking long-term exclusion from the economy.The trend is hitting even the most qualified; unemployment among university graduates has surged to its highest level in 15 years, signaling a systemic shift that transcends traditional blue-collar industries. Furthermore, a lag in SME innovation capacity highlights the need for the “institutionalised interfaces” proposed in the MOSAIC paper.
A Strategic Window of Influence
The MOSAIC research is uniquely positioned to shape the next era of European education policy. The European Commission is currently finalising a new European Strategy for Vocational Education and Training (VET), expected to launch later this year. By demonstrating how VET can evolve from a “skills provider” into a pillar of an Applied Research Ecosystem, the Finnish pilot centers offer a tangible blueprint for this new EU-wide framework.
Read the European Training Article on the event and how they view the MOSAIC project findings as a vital blueprint for addressing Europe’s shared challenges of weak productivity and SME innovation gaps. By moving beyond simple skills provision, the ETF advocates for a structural shift where vocational and higher education act as “anchors” for applied research ecosystems.
