The research project Building Finland´s Future – Inclusion and Collaboration in Working Life seeks solutions for acute problems in Finnish labour market, such as labour shortages and polarisation.

The project (9/2022–12/2024) analyses labour markets from different perspectives: What kind of changes will occur in the Finnish labour markets? Where can one expect polarisation?

The project focuses especially on questions concerning foreign worker´s adjustment to the labour markets and intergenerational co-operation at workplaces. In addition, the project is interested in identifying future trends in work life.

The project’s approach is solution oriented, which means that project identifies good practices, strengthens dialogue between various labour market actors and communicates actively about work life issues.

The project is divided into three work packages:

Work Package 1: The Life of a foreign worker in Finland

Work Package 2: Intergenerational cooperation at workplace

Work Package 3: The Future of professions

The work packages have their own research questions, but ultimately, they all build on the same goal which is to improve the Finnish work life.

The research project is taking a multidisciplinary approach. Data is collected through interviews, surveys, workshops, and observation. Manual workers are the subject of the research.

The research project will be completed in 2024.

The project is funded by Trade Union Pro, The Finnish Association of Private Care Providers HALI, Trade Union for the Public and Welfare Sectors JHL, Ministry of Justice, Service Union United PAM, Confederation of Finnish Construction Industries RT, STTK, The Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions SAK, Industrial Employees TP, and The Finnish Pension Alliance TELA.

The project is carried out by E2 Research, an independent, multidisciplinary research institute based in Helsinki, Finland.