Impact of our operations
The tables on this page on the impact of our operations in our six sub-regional areas are a first step towards using impact thinking in our operations, and will be actively updated in the future as more information is gathered and as targets and figures become more precise.
We want to better understand and anticipate future changes together with our stakeholders. Our aim is to help and support our stakeholders and our regions in their work for vitality. That is why we want to be a foresight pioneer, a change-ready organisation and an influential player.
Tapio Huttula, rector, CEO
Six sub-regions
Our area of operation has 201 027 inhabitants and covers the following sub-regional areas
- Ylivieska sub-regional area
- Kokkola sub-regional area
- Pietarsaari sub-regional area
- Hapaveden-Siikalatva sub-regional area
- Nivala-Haapajärvi sub-regional area
- Kaustinen sub-regional area
New knowledge and competence
Personnel 384
5th largest employer in Central Ostrobothnia
Personnel costs 26,3 M€
Education activities to support investment and job creation in the region
62% of staff have at least a master’s degree, and 44 employees hold a postgraduate degree
Purchases of goods and services 9,7 M€ per year
RDI operations enable the diverse economic structure of the region
Partner in companies’ development of competence
Support to companies at different stages of growth
Teaching
The share of people with a higher education degree among the population aged 15 and over increased by 3.1% between 2015 and 2024
75% of those who completed a UAS degree were employed in the regions of Central Ostrobothnia, North Ostrobothnia, or Ostrobothnia between 2015 and 2023.
60% of employed Finnish UAS graduates were employed directly in positions corresponding to their field of education in 2023
Skilled workers to meet the needs of the region. A total of 19 different bachelor’s degrees and 8 master’s degrees.
A total of 11,277 students began their studies between 2015 and 2024, of whom 6,461 were from Centria’s operating region. The work contribution of UAS students to the region is approximately 600 FTEs.
Students studying in the region leave €24 million per year to the region
89% of graduates are employed, continue their studies or become self-employed
Around 620 Bachelor’s degrees and around 130 Master’s degrees per year
Over 1100 continuous learners in a year