Overview of Perspectives and Competence Needs in Wood Technology Higher Education

Authors

• Ville Lahtela LUT-yliopisto
• Timo LUT-yliopisto

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33355/tw.137487

Keywords:

wood technology, education, studying, university, university of applied sciences

Abstract

The forest and wood industry play a significant role in the national economy as guarantors of the welfare society, both economically and socioeconomically, especially from a national perspective. One key factor behind the success of the industry is a skilled and educated workforce, which is becoming a critical factor due to the reduced educational opportunities in wood technology. The diminished educational offerings are already evident today as significant recruitment challenges, which may further increase as the size of age groups decreases and the population's connection to the forest diminishes. In the conducted research project, the interest of wood technology students in further studies and the technical competence needs in the future, especially from the perspective of advanced higher education, were examined. Data collection was carried out for wood technology students through an online survey and for industry and interest group stakeholders through semi-structured theme interviews. The study revealed that wood technology students have already actively pursued studies in the wood sector and the majority also possesses a high motivation for further studies. A significant limitation for those aiming for higher education-level further studies was students' lack of awareness of possible postgraduate opportunities. Based on this, the industry would benefit from encouraging examples of completed educational paths. The primary focus for developing educational opportunities in the wood sector is ensuring the industry's attractiveness, which is best achieved through broad collaboration among various stakeholders in the field.