The ability of industry companies to respond to the changing needs of customers and the market hinges on the continual development of the competence and education in Finland.

Innovation usually emerges at the interfaces between different scientific branches and areas of expertise. Great potential for new competence and knowledge exists in the following areas:

• innovative combination of different scientific branches and areas of expertise,
•  taking advantage of new scientific knowledge in deepening our understanding of wood and fibre materials,
• innovative combination of industrial engineering and automation know-how by taking comprehensively into consideration the resource needs of the entire production loop,
• customer-oriented operating concepts, design and modern wood architecture as well as
• business skills. 

Education and competence of vital importance to Finland

The strengths of Finnish universities and other institutions of higher education provide a good foundation on which to build the education, competence and research that the competitiveness and regeneration of Finland’s forest cluster demands.

The focus taken by Finnish universities and institutions of higher education and their mutual cooperation need to be developed further with respect to both teaching and research. Schools have to be able to conduct research and teaching activities to an internationally competitive standard in their respective areas of emphasis. Larger universities should take advantage of internal multidisciplinary opportunities.