# Addressing the Critical Issues in Upper Savo’s Industry - Savonia AMK

> Teknologiatalkoot Event: What are the pressing issues in Upper Savo’s industry that demand solutions?

## Event Overview
The Teknologiatalkoot event, held on April 26th, 2024, brought together representatives from Upper Savo’s technology companies and educational institutions to discuss the factors driving the region’s prosperity and the challenges facing its industrial sector.

## Opening and Keynote
*   **Reijo Hynynen (Project Manager, KesTech):** Opened the event with a history of KesTech and its vision for a vibrant industrial sector in Upper Savo.
*   **Jorik Hoxha (Local Entrepreneur):** Shared his personal success story, emphasizing the critical role of marketing in business growth.

## Expert Panel Discussion
The panel featured industry experts **Markku Penttinen**, **Katja Paananen**, **Matti Laitinen**, **Tommi Lähteinen**, and **Päivi Vestala**. They focused on three core themes:

*   **Skill Development:** The panel highlighted the need for anticipation in education and identifying common skill sets across diverse regional companies to ensure a steady supply of expertise.
*   **Technological Advancement:** Discussions centered on the need for innovation, specifically addressing the gap between large companies and smaller businesses regarding data-driven management and technological adoption.
*   **Internationalization:** The panel addressed the insufficiency of Finnish labor and discussed how to make the region more attractive to international talent by focusing on holistic living environments.

## Solution-Focused Workshops
Attendees participated in roundtable discussions on five key themes:

### International Workforce
*   Focus on labor legislation, occupational safety, and Finnish work culture integration.
*   Recommendations: Direct outreach between companies and schools, implementation of skills passports, and improving student mobility through affordable housing and international training programs.

### Quality
*   Emphasis on waste elimination and brand integrity.
*   Recommendations: Certified Green Belt training in Upper Savo, utilizing AI to boost process capability, establishing a quality-focused subnetwork, and integrating quality checks at the start of the order-to-delivery process.

### Digitalization
*   Focus on future-oriented developments rather than current tech.
*   Recommendations: Tailored support for SMEs to implement AI and data analytics, and increased regional cooperation with educational institutions.

### Automation
*   Addressed the demand for autonomous devices and associated regulatory/ethical requirements.
*   Recommendations: Closing the digital education gap in electrical and automation sectors, adopting digital twin technology, and implementing apprenticeship-style programs to improve legislative understanding in product development.

### Funding Instruments
*   Focus on communicating funding opportunities to companies.
*   Resources: TechSavo project staff assist with development projects and applications; KesTech provides guidance; start-ups are encouraged to engage with venture capitalists and business angels.

## Conclusion
The Teknologiatalkoot event served as a collaborative platform for identifying solutions to industrial challenges. The event underscored the region's commitment to innovation and the necessity of continued cooperation between industry and education to shape the future of Upper Savo.

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**Author:** Agnieszka Laherto, KesTech (Business Coach and R&D specialist in Savonia UAS)