Study visit to Oulu, Finland
27/11/2006
The purpose of the visit was to learn about good practice in labour market foresighting. The participants learnt about arrangements in development programming and foresighting the situation on the regional labour market. Information on methods of cooperation between the regional and local institutions as well as the research tools and prognostic models used by Finnish institutions were particularly interesting.
The visit was organised by the Council of Oulu Region, the Employment Office in Oulu and TE- Centre (the Employment and Economic Development Centre for Northern Ostrobothnia).
Conclusions:
- Cooperation between regional and supra-regional institutions in moulding labour market policy as well as in the coordination of surveys in this field is essential for the regional development of the region. Such partnerships help to accurately forecast changes in the labour market situation and in qualifications, occupations and training needs.
- Forecasting in the area of the labour and education markets helps to adapt inhabitants of the region to labour market needs by giving precise information that can be the basis for decision making on the organisation of the vocational training needed by the regional economy and addressing this information to appropriate citizens groups.
