New Report: Northern Norway, Northern Sweden and Finland Lack the Competence Needed for Future Preparedness and Growth

The High North is becoming increasingly important strategically for Norway, the Nordic countries and Europe. At the same time, a new final report from the Arctic Mobility pre-project shows that current educational and research environments are not sufficiently equipped to meet future needs related to preparedness, supply security, transport and logistics in Northern Norway, Northern Sweden and Finland.

The report was prepared by the Centre for High North Logistics (CHNL) at Nord University on behalf of Konnekt, Norway’s national competence centre for transport, mobility and infrastructure. Through in-depth interviews with leaders from industry, academia, the defence sector and public authorities, together with a Norwegian expert workshop involving 34 participants, a comprehensive analysis of future skills requirements in the north was conducted.

“The High North is facing major changes driven by geopolitical developments, climate change, increased defence investments and new business opportunities. If we are to succeed, we must build stronger competence environments and collaborate much more closely across national borders. We hope this report can accelerate discussions on Nordic cooperation in this socially critical area. Cross-sector collaboration is more important than ever, and I am pleased that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is addressing the challenges in the North and actively seeking a new model for cooperation with Sweden and Finland. We see a significant need for this,” said Kjell Stokvik, Managing Director of CHNL and project manager for the report.

A Common Nordic Skills Initiative

The report concludes that a new Nordic investment in expertise within transport, logistics and infrastructure is needed. It proposes the establishment of Arctic Mobility, a long-term Nordic fund or programme that would support education, research, innovation and competence development in the High North.
The report was presented during Arendalsuka and formally handed over to State Secretary Eivind Vad Petersson at Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs thanks everyone involved for the report on Competence in the North of the Nordic Region. The report contains many important observations and interesting proposals for addressing competence needs. These will serve as valuable input to the Government’s High North policy. Norway is currently working with Finland and Sweden to strengthen efforts in the north and to develop a new model for Nordic cooperation in the region,” said State Secretary Eivind Vad Petersson.

The goal is to strengthen preparedness, support business development and ensure sustainable settlement patterns through improved access to qualified labour. The initiative aims to bridge universities, vocational colleges, public authorities, industry and the defence sector in Norway, Sweden and Finland.

The launching event of the report was co-hosted by UArctic

President of UArctic Lars Kullerud participated in the debate and Kjell Stokvik, lead of the UArctic Thematic Network Arctic transport and Logistics was the moderator together with Petter Aanonsen from Konnekt. “Now we need take action to move the recommendation forward and work jointly with Neighboring Countries to secure the necessary funding “ said President Lars Kullerud.
 
Shortage of 50,000 Highly Educated Professionals

The report estimates that the northern regions of Norway, Sweden and Finland together lack approximately 50,000 people with higher education qualifications in order to develop at the same pace as the rest of the Nordic region.

At the same time, existing academic and professional environments are small and vulnerable, and several educational programmes in transport and logistics have been reduced or discontinued in recent years.
Among the competence areas identified as particularly important are:

• Preparedness and societal security
• Civil-military logistics
• Artificial intelligence and digitalisation
• Drone and autonomous technologies
• Geotechnical and structural engineering
• Cybersecurity and IT security
• Transport planning and intermodal solutions
• Port and railway expertise
• Energy and supply security

Growing Importance for Europe

According to the report, the northern Nordic region will become increasingly important for European security and supply resilience. The High North already plays a vital role in transporting minerals, energy, seafood and other strategic resources.

At the same time, developments within NATO and the European Union point towards increased investment in infrastructure and preparedness in northern areas.

The current geopolitical situation means that transport corridors through Northern Norway, Northern Sweden and Northern Finland are gaining strategic value, both in peacetime and during crises. This further increases the need for expertise and capacity across national borders.

Recommends a Main Project in 2026

The report recommends that Arctic Mobility now enters a new phase. During 2026, a main project should be established to secure political support for the initiative and develop a concrete model for financing, organisation and academic focus.

The next major step could be a Nordic process that supports and complements national High North strategies. The aim is to bring together governments, educational institutions, industry and defence organisations in a coordinated Nordic effort to strengthen competence development related to transport, logistics, infrastructure and preparedness.

The report concludes: “The High North needs more than investments in roads, railways, ports and airports. We must invest in people and competence. Arctic Mobility can become an important tool for building the capacity required to ensure preparedness, growth and sustainable settlement in northern regions.”

About the Report

Competence in the North of the Nordic Region: Final Report from the Arctic Mobility Pre-Project was prepared by the Centre for High North Logistics (CHNL) at Nord University and UiT The Arctic University of Norway on behalf of Konnekt.

UArctic with President Lars Kullerud have been involved in the process. UArctic and Konnkt signed an MOU last year and they will be involved the main project .  

The report is based on interviews with 15 key stakeholders and input from 34 experts representing public authorities, academia, industry and the defence sector.