FITech Network University's report: Future energy-sector professionals need new competencies alongside technical expertise

The FITech network, which a network of Finnish universities of technology coordinated by Aalto University, examined the skills needs of the electrical and energy sectors and the development needs of education. In the "Developing university education to meet the needs of the energy sector (SEOYK)" project, FITech’s member universities aimed to determine whether current university education in the electrical and energy fields meets the needs of companies in the sector and the challenges of the energy transition. The project began in the spring semester of 2026, and the report was completed in autumn 2026.

FITech is a network of Finnish universities of technology. Its members include Aalto University, LUT University, University of Eastern Finland, University of Jyväskylä, University of Oulu, University of Turku, University of Vaasa, Tampere University, and Åbo Akademi University. Founding members are also Technology Industries of Finland and the Academic Engineers and Architects in Finland (TEK). The network is cordinated by Aalto. University of Oulu was responsible for coordinating the SEOYK project and producing the report, and the project was funded by STEK ry.

The SEOYK project mapped the electrical and energy education offerings of Finnish universities and gathered insights from companies in the field. The aim was to assess how well Finnish university education in these fields meets the changing skills needs of the energy transition, to identify opportunities for developing education, and to strengthen collaboration both between universities and with companies. The results were discussed in a joint workshop of the FITech universities, which provided a forum for dialogue on educational development. The report and its findings offer a solid starting point for the further development of university education in the energy sector.

According to the report, the key strengths of Finnish energy education are the systemic examination of energy systems, broad technological coverage, and the integration of sustainability, life-cycle thinking, and the circular economy into teaching.

The survey of universities’ educational 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 topics. At the same time, strong areas of specialisation have emerged at different universities around, for example, renewable energy, nuclear energy, energy markets, hydrogen economy, and energy storage. Based on the results, the national sharing of specialised studies is seen as a major opportunity to develop collaboration and to make more effective use of the diverse strengths of different universities.

Companies recognise the skills needs of the energy transition

Based on the company survey and interviews, companies in the electrical and energy sectors recognise the challenges brought by the energy transition. The key challenges they highlighted include especially the deployment of new technologies, the progress of electrification, and the adequacy of the energy system’s capacity and infrastructure. The rapid change in the operating environment and the uncertainty associated with it also set new demands for companies and energy professionals. As future energy systems become more complex, it is essential to complement the technical expertise in university education in the electrical and energy fields with economic, societal, and institutional perspectives.

Workshop brought universities together to discuss the future

The results of the education mapping as well as the company survey and interviews were discussed at a joint workshop of FITech universities in August 2026. The workshop examined critical skills gaps in the energy sector, the labour-market relevance of education, and opportunities to strengthen collaboration between universities. The discussions also highlighted the development of international degree programmes and continuous learning pathways to meet future skills needs.

Recommendation: closer national collaboration

The key conclusion of the report is that future experts in the electrical and energy sectors 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 between FITech universities, particularly in the development and sharing of electrical and energy studies related to each university’s areas of specialisation. Broader collaboration strengthens the quality of university education in the field at the national level, improves the use of resources, and ensures that Finnish energy education can continue to meet the skills needs arising from the transformation of the energy system in the future.

The project’s results can be used both to develop university education and to inform the national discussion on the future skills needs of the energy sector. The report also offers concrete recommendations for strengthening collaboration and renewing education to meet the needs of the energy transition.

Read more and view the report on the FITech website.

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.