A skills shortage threatens to slow down the positive momentum of Finland's maritime industry, leading to calls for increasing domestic workforce participation.
The Finnish maritime industry is facing a skilled workforce shortage that could hinder its growth, as articulated by Minister of Labor Matias Marttinen. A report commissioned by Marttinen emphasizes the need to boost the domestic workforce to meet the increasing demands of the maritime sector and its subcontractors. This comes in light of recent contracts made by Rauma Marine Constructions for building icebreakers for the U.S. Coast Guard, showcasing the industry's potential for expansion but also drawing attention to the labor challenges ahead.
Currently, Finland's maritime industry employs over 30,000 people and generates a revenue exceeding 12 billion euros. The report indicates that there is a pool of both skilled workers and graduates available, but efforts must be directed at attracting this talent to the maritime sector. As the industry continues to grow, creating a stable and skilled workforce will be crucial for sustaining this growth and fulfilling contracts like the ones being established for international clients, including Canada.
Minister Marttinen's initiative to launch this investigation reflects a proactive approach to addressing the potential bottleneck in workforce supply that could accompany the sector's positive trajectory. The discussions underline the importance of ensuring that Finnish workers are adequately represented in this burgeoning industry, which may see further international contracts and opportunities if the workforce issues are resolved.
