Future workforce needs in Kiviruukki RDI hub and unique talent in Espoo inspired workshop participants
The spring season of the ‘Circular Economy Hub in Kiviruukki’ project included a workshop on 11 April 2025, focusing on the following topical themes: Espoo’s future talents, workforce and employment. Held at Aalto Design Factory in Otaniemi, the invitation-only event brought together 35 participants representing various city units, educational institutions, organisations interested in competence development and promoting employment, and companies with new competence needs.
Workshop brings together future workforce and experts
The event featured interesting speeches on the special characteristics of employment in Espoo, the employer image, megatrends and the future of work. Marika Räf, the chairperson of Espoo’s Growth and Learning Committee and a lecturer in business at Omnia, highlighted the perspectives of both businesses and educational institutions. Länsi-Espoon lukio, a new general upper secondary school with an international focus and 1,200 students, will start operating in Kiviruukki in 2027. It will be located in the central Cleantech Garden block, which will be a dynamic hub for companies and educational institutions specialising in the green transition, clean technology and the circular economy. On the Cleantech Garden campus, located next to the Kivenlahti metro station, the City of Espoo, VTT and Omnia will also develop new circular economy innovations together with businesses. The concept aims to promote synergy and cooperation among stakeholders.
The workshop was led by futurist, entrepreneur, consultant and author Elina Hiltunen (MSc, DSc), and she kicked off the group work with an engaging presentation on the changing trends in work and their impact on employment and employee attraction and retention.
Unique characteristics of workforce in Espoo
A growing city needs innovative and skilled professionals. Espoo has experienced the highest relative population growth among Finnish cities, increasing demand for public services and workforce. The number of companies has increased steadily, with the three largest sources of employment being wholesale and retail trade, education, and software and consulting. Over 50% of Finland’s university-based startups are founded annually in Espoo (source: EVP Index - MDI). Espoo’s workforce is characterised by a high level of education, multiculturalism, and a large number of young people compared to other municipalities. Approximately one-third of jobs in companies in Espoo are in high-competence sectors (source: Statistics Finland). In 2024, the overall unemployment rate was 10.9%, while the unemployment rate among residents of foreign origin was 21.6% (source: Statistics Finland).
Next steps
The event received excellent feedback and the theme was very relevant, also considering the preparation of the strategy for the new City Council term.
The results of the workshop will be used to support the development of the Kiviruukki area and to enhance its visibility and attractiveness. The development of Kiviruukki is part of regional cooperation with the Helsinki-Uusimaa Circular Hub(external link, opens in a new window). The goal of the project is to foster collaboration in order to strengthen Finland’s position as a world-class hub for clean technology expertise, making it an attractive investment opportunity for both domestic and international players.
How can I get involved?
For more information about the Kiviruukki cooperation network, please contact Project Manager Päivi Hertel at the City of Espoo: paivi.hertel@espoo.fi
Text: Lotta Mannonen, City of Espoo (original Finnish text created with the help of artificial intelligence)
