A recent study carried out within a FITech project shows that Finnish university education in electrical and energy engineering provides a strong foundation for the competency needs of the sector. However, in the wake of the energy transition, digitalisation, and geopolitical changes, education increasingly requires multidisciplinary competencies as well as closer collaboration between universities and companies.
Finnish university education in electrical and energy engineering offers a solid base of technical expertise, but the energy transition, digitalisation, and growing uncertainty in the operating environment call for continuous development of education. This emerges from the study conducted under the FITech network’s “Developing university education to meet the needs of the energy sector (SEOYK)” project. The project was coordinated and the study produced by the University of Oulu. The project began in the spring semester of 2026, and the report was completed in autumn 2026. The project was funded by STEK ry.
The project mapped the electrical and energy engineering study offerings at Finnish universities and gathered insights from companies in the sector through surveys and interviews. The aim was to assess how well Finnish university education in electrical and energy engineering meets the evolving competence needs of the energy transition, to identify opportunities for educational development, and to strengthen collaboration both between universities and with industry. The results were discussed in a joint workshop of FITech universities, which provided a forum for dialogue on developing education. The study and its findings offer a solid starting point for the continued development of university education in the energy sector.
Technological expertise as a strength
According to the study, the key strengths of Finnish energy-sector education include a systemic perspective on energy systems, broad technological coverage, and the integration of sustainability, life-cycle thinking, and circular economy into teaching.
The survey of university offerings identified nearly 400 energy-related courses, about 100 of which were classified as specialised studies. The mapping showed that Finnish universities share a substantial set of core content in energy studies. At the same time, strong areas of specialisation have emerged at different universities around, for example, renewable energy, nuclear energy, energy markets, the hydrogen economy, and energy storage. Based on the results, nationally sharing these specialised studies presents a significant opportunity to enhance cooperation and make better use of the diverse strengths of different universities.
Companies recognise the competence needs related to the energy transition
Based on the company survey and interviews conducted in the project, companies in the electrical and energy sector recognise the challenges posed by the energy transition. As key challenges, companies mentioned the adoption of new technologies, advance of electrification, and adequacy of energy system capacity and infrastructure. The rapid change in the operating environment and the associated uncertainty also impose new demands on companies and energy-sector professionals. As future energy systems become more complex, it is important to complement the technical competencies in university education in electrical and energy engineering with economic, societal, and institutional perspectives.
Workshop brought universities together to discuss the future
The results of the university offering survey, company survey and interviews were discussed at a joint workshop of FITech universities in August 2026. The workshop examined critical competence gaps in the energy sector, the labor-market relevance of education, and opportunities to strengthen collaboration between universities. The discussions also highlighted the development of international degree programs and continuous learning pathways to meet future talent needs.
Recommendation: Closer national collaboration
The key conclusion of the study is that future experts in electrical and energy engineering need, alongside technical skills, a stronger understanding of uncertainty, geopolitical shifts, energy markets, energy justice, and the impacts of digitalisation.
The project recommends deepening collaboration among FITech universities, particularly in developing and sharing electrical and energy engineering studies related to each university’s areas of specialisation. Broader collaboration will strengthen the overall quality of university education in the field nationally, improve the use of resources, and ensure that Finnish education can meet the competence needs related to the transformation of the energy system also in the future.
The results of the project can be used both in developing university education and in the national discussion on the future competence needs of the energy sector. The study also provides concrete recommendations for strengthening collaboration and renewing education to meet the needs of the energy transition.
More information about the project and findings can be found in the report (PDF, in Finnish).
This text was produced as part of FITech’s “Developing university education to meet the needs of the energy sector (SEOYK)” project. Read more about the project.
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