Securing Finland’s competitiveness and economic growth in the 2020s : Rapporteur’s Report

On 5 June 2018, Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä commissioned a report and recommendations from Professor Erkki Ormala on the adequacy of resources for applied research and the role of VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland in promoting innovation activities that serve business and industry. The clear message of the report is that by developing applied research and strengthening collaboration between operators, it will be possible to support the growth of the Finnish economy in the 2020s, secure developments in the field of unemployment in Finland and solve the challenges posed by the sustainability gap in the national economy. Finland must return to an operating model that supports the balanced and foreseeable development of research and innovation activities at the national level. The successful implementation of research and innovation activities is largely based on broad, comprehensive national research programmes or key projects aiming to develop and utilise the possibilities of the future. The level of funding for such activities must be increased permanently by a total of EUR 300 million, to be allocated in 2020–2022. The report proposes an increase of EUR 30 million in the level of funding for VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, to be used for cooperation programmes and in the development of infrastructure and important areas of competence. Universities and universities of applied sciences must be encouraged to participate in cooperation with businesses through results-based management and steering. Future skills needs must be mapped out more effectively, and the necessary changes must be better taken into account when defining the degree targets of higher education institutions and vocational education and training. At the same time, the conditions for further education must be significantly improved. Contact: Pirjo Kutinlahti, tel. 029 504 826