Future trends of HRD in the finnish pulp and paper industry

The present article approaches the trends of HRD in the Finnish pulp and paper industry. The recent two decades have introduced several major changes into this field of industry. Technical breakthroughs have led to drastic changes in the competence requirements of the personnel. On the other hand, the boom of mergers and acquisitions in this industry segment has cut down the humber of corporations with world wide operations. Globalization challenges the European labor market, social policy, vocational education as well as HRD practices to develop high value jobs and competencies essential for survival in the labor cost competition.