Automation is beginning to fill the hole
The excellent news is that Finland is turning to automation and beginning to use robots to assist to resolve the challenges attributable to labor and expertise shortages.
Essentially the most automated industries in Finland are steel & equipment (which accounts for round a 3rd of the nation’s robotic inventory), automotive and electronics. Right here, our firm’s collaborative robots usually fulfill duties of dealing with and selecting, inspection, logistics and meeting and they’re serving to corporations to extend productiveness. Janavalo Oy, a steel trade firm from the Häme area, began to fill vacancies with collaborative robots. In only a few months it has been in a position to make use of cobots to nearly double the output of every welder.
Nonetheless some strategy to go
Large firms like Nokia have spearheaded the usage of robotics in Finland and are after all already extremely automated. However when it comes to general robotic utilization we’re lagging behind a few of our neighbouring international locations and there may be nonetheless a lot potential for automation in smaller corporations. In line with the Worldwide Federation of Robotics, neighbouring Sweden, the place the economic construction corresponds fairly properly to Finland’s, has 3 times as many robotic models put in all through its industries as Finland.
As a nation we have to consider robots in a wider context – past the partitions of worldwide model names and automotive corporations. Wherever an individual does repetitive work, robots could make issues simpler. Robotics can completely be one of many options to the talents scarcity, if given the prospect.
One other driver of automation in Finland, past the business advantages for particular person corporations, ought to the nation’s deal with sustainability. As a rustic that’s closely depending on pure sources, Finland has a powerful dedication to environmental safety. Right here, automation might help cut back waste, enhance power effectivity and promote sustainable practices.
We’re on the right track, however extra governmental help is required
We’re fortunate in Finland to already be seeing the advantages of presidency help for automation. Many corporations have benefited from a public growth grant for robotics funding – I do know that it’s a lot appreciated. The state has up to now reimbursed 50% of initiatives’ wage prices, however solely 10-35% of the particular funding, relying on the place in Finland the corporate is positioned.
Over the previous 12 months, I’ve requested dozens of corporations what would encourage them to take the ultimate step and spend money on automation. Fairly often the reply is that barely extra beneficiant and regionally non-discriminatory funding help would make a distinction, particularly for the small and medium sized corporations. I feel we may make an actual affect by rising the funding help for tools buy to 35% all through Finland.
Have to develop technical experience
Lastly, let’s not neglect that know-how is itself one of many sectors troubled by expertise shortages. In line with a examine on the necessity for expertise performed by Know-how Industries of Finland in 2021, Finland’s know-how industries will want 130,000 new specialists inside the subsequent 10 years. So, simply as in different international locations, we have to proceed to deal with schooling and coaching in colleges, faculties and within the workforce.
