If you were to ask from a technology expert, “what is the biggest challenge in the future of the technology industry”, the answer you get would probably depend a lot on who you ask.
Some might say sustainability and the green transition, and how we can produce a world that is still livable in for our children. For some it will be the aging population, and the inevitable cultural changes needed to resolve it with talent from around the world. Some may say AI, or issues they see in the education of the engineers of the future, or security.
All of these are things that have a major impact on the lives and futures of TEK members, but they are things that happen outside of the workplace as much as in. Individually, that means members have little power to influence them. With over 80,000 members, TEK then needs to do what for a member on their own may be a struggle; create change that supports the creation of a diverse, sustainable and innovative Finland.
How though can TEK go about doing this? The answer, like in much of life, relies on cooperation.
The list of other organisations that TEK is involved in projects with is too long to list. It features for example other trade unions, universities, cities, business associations and employer side organisations, while outside of Finland, there are Nordic engineering associations and European level groups. With all these, projects are undertaken to improve society in the ways that TEK members wish.
To truly create change though, policy makers must be involved. TEK regularly holds events to which policy makers are invited, aimed at keeping our core topics at the focus of discussion. The topics and size of these events vary greatly, from small but expert webinars on AI, to hundreds of people discussing immigration policy. TEK also provides statements on a variety of governmental proposals.
Providing the background for all this is data and research, such as in the TEK Student, Labour Market, and Graduate Surveys. More recently, the International Technology Expert survey has received strong media attention, as have many themed surveys. There is also the use of public data, such as from Statistics Finland, and the expertise and knowledge of those found in membership and committees.
Read how TEK's Public Affairs and Research Team describes their work.
A sustainable green transition
As we trade unions tend to say, there are no jobs on a dead planet. Environmental sustainability has been rising in the priority list of all types of organizations over the years, and that includes trade unions and TEK. We actively promote a swift and just green transition both nationally, in the EU and on a global level.
Recently TEK has focused especially on the skill and competence needs in a carbon neutral circular economy. Engineers are at the forefront of the transition, so it is essential to ensure our current and future members are equipped with future-proof skillset to save the planet. We are also active in topics such as ethics of AI and combining green transition and industrial policy.
Universities and skills
Education and skills are key areas of TEK's influencing work. Being a union for university educated members, we work in the field of higher education, but the stages before and after that are obviously interesting, too. Our interests range from policy – funding, legislation and so on – to the quality of education. TEK co-operates with politicians and public servants but also universities, not trying to browbeat, but rather to keep them informed about our views on the development of skills and education.
The talent of the future
Engineering is a creative field where you can solve global challenges while expressing yourself. Diverse skills and people are key to effective solutions, and so TEK inspires young people to study engineering. What’s it like to study, and how do you succeed? TEK also organizes Kipinä, a science competition for 14–20-year-olds. Participants submit projects, and winners represent Finland at EUCYS, showcasing skills in fields like physics, chemistry, and engineering while networking with peers across Europe.
An innovative Finland
Finland strives to be a country that creates new solutions for the problems of tomorrow, not merely copying the work of others. To do this, we need competent people, resources, and an innovative and competitive technology sector.
TEK’s part of making this happen in society is by promoting, for example; the need for skilled migration, research and development, and the deployment of new technologies. We also influence Finnish and EU technology and industrial policies.
International diversity is strength
The technology sector needs more expertise than can be provided from Finland alone, and those experts need TEK to be supporting and advocating for their role and value in Finland.
With the International Technology Expert survey, we have strong evidence to bring to policy makers and companies, while for students we work to improve post-graduation employment, for example via thesis fairs, as well as supporting a diverse and international student culture. Finally, we respond to the government plans and propose comments and alternatives to potentially damaging proposals. TEK is also active in supporting the development of many other forms of diversity.