Workplace Inclusion Strengthens Future Access to Labour

This challenge is not unique to Ostrobothnia. Finland’s population is ageing rapidly and birth rates are low, creating significant challenges. In the coming years, a wave of retirement is expected to lead to a substantial need for labour. The need is so great that, according to the Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK), Finland would require around 45,000 labour immigrants annually – considerably more than current levels (Svenska Yle, 2026).

Within the ESF+ project Inclusive Workplace (Inkluderande arbetsplats – Osallistava työpaikka), the focus has been on encouraging employers in the Jakobstad-Pietarsaari region to actively work with the inclusion of their international workforce. The aim is to ensure that employees thrive, are willing to stay in the long term, and become established in society. One of the core ideas of the project, which ended on 31 March 2026, was that companies’ skills shortages can be alleviated by strengthening workplace inclusion. Satisfied employees who enjoy their work are, as is well known, the best form of marketing for the workplace, which also makes recruitment easier. Moreover, an inclusive workplace is a better workplace for everyone, regardless of nationality.

Within the project, mappings, company visits, business breakfasts, workshops, and various business events were organised. Through these activities, the project has had the opportunity to engage in dialogue with many companies in the region about workplace inclusion in multicultural teams. Based on these discussions, brochures and different resources have been developed to support companies in their inclusion efforts. All these products are available on the project’s website, and companies have shown both interest in and appreciation for the material. The project has also collaborated more closely with a group of companies, and as a token of appreciation, guides and tools were distributed to them in physical form. This goodie bag includes, among other things, a brochure about workplace diversity, a guide for newcomers (“Our Finnish society, the Jakobstad region”), discussion cards, a mentoring guide and materials for a workshop on onboarding in a multicultural workplace.

For those who have moved from another country and have a different mother tongue, additional guidance and support are often needed in the new workplace, which can sometimes be perceived as demanding. At the same time, studies show that multicultural teams are more resilient and have stronger problem‑solving capabilities. Furthermore, it is enriching to get to know people from different cultural backgrounds. The extent to which companies are prepared to receive and include foreign-born employees varies. Many companies in the region have long experience of a multicultural workforce, while others are still at an early stage. However, it is clear that there is a need to discuss and actively work on these issues.

The collaboration with companies within the project Inclusive Workplace has been very rewarding, and encouragingly, it continues within the framework of the ESF project Attractive Worklife (in Ostrobothnia), which started in January 2026 and will run until August 2028.

The project Inclusive workplace was financed by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and Svenska Kulturfonden. 

Sources

Svenska Yle. 2026. Näringslivet slår larm: Kräver 45 000 arbetskrafts­invandrare varje år. Tillgänglig: Näringslivet slår larm: Kräver 45 000 arbetskrafts­invandrare varje år | Inrikes | Svenska Yle) Läst: 16.6.2026.