Universities, entrepreneurs, the IT industry, and the healthcare sector in Finland are actively exploring opportunities to leverage talent from India. A recent gathering at the Embassy of Finland brought together stakeholders to delve into the specific skills required for labor migration. Business Finland, a public organization operating under the Ministry of Employment and Economy, has been consistently realigning its objectives to attract commerce, tourism, and foreign investments.
During the event, Ambassador Kimmo Lahdevirta emphasized the importance of fostering collaboration between the two nations to foster growth in business, academic research, and technological advancements. He noted that India, as a youthful nation, possesses a vast pool of skilled professionals. Lahdevirta underscored the significance of talent mobility, a critical aspect under evaluation by Finland.
In a panel discussion themed “Bridging Talent: Building Indo-Finnish Frontiers,” Laura Lindeman, Head of the Work in Finland Unit at Business Finland, highlighted the Finnish government’s commitment to enhancing diversity in the labor market. She emphasized that India holds strategic importance for Finland in recruiting skilled individuals, particularly in the IT, technical, and healthcare domains to forge an ethical and sustainable trajectory.
Professor Sanjay Gupta, the founding Vice Chancellor of the World University of Design, shared insights on the educational landscape in India, mentioning that despite 41 million students enrolled across 1200 higher education institutions, the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) stands at 27%.
Shalendra Malhotra, Managing Director of Winfort, addressed macro-level talent management challenges, pointing out that Indian talent possesses significant global opportunities. He stressed the need for skilled professionals to effectively contribute to small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Jyotsna Minocha, Program Head of FutureSkills at NASSCOM, discussed India’s potential in skill development, noting that approximately 17 lakh individuals are engaged in digital upskilling. With a substantial percentage of students learning digital skills at the school and college levels, and a significant portion receiving STEM education, India is undergoing a transformative phase. Minocha emphasized the necessity of aligning skills with global demands through customized training programs to address specific needs and foster problem-solving capabilities.
Concluding the session, Christabel Royan, Director of the Nordic Centre in India, highlighted that Indian talent is not merely recognized for cost-effectiveness but also for delivering quality across various sectors such as IT, biodiversity, and technology.