Talent First

Talent attraction model of North Savo – impact through collaboration

Enhancing regional attractiveness requires actions on both regional and national levels to make North Savo known to job seekers and recognized as an interesting business environment and an attractive place to live. The region’s image and attractiveness directly influence the availability of skilled labor, which in turn ensures the growth conditions for businesses.

The primary goal of Talent First (Talent attraction model of North Savo project) is to attract new professionals and workforce to the region by promoting regional attractiveness and retention, and by building cooperation networks.

“The core of the operation is in collaboration.”

Concrete actions in the project include the construction of a collaborative model and operational practices, mapping existing services and actors to promote the recruitment of professionals, and marketing and communication tools such as websites, campaigns, and events.

Websites in Finnish and in English

As a key initiative, Talent First is constructing a news media-style website to create content from the perspectives of talent and expertise. The site will be implemented as a channel to enhance national and international visibility and will serve, among other things, as a recruitment aid for business sector operators.

The site will highlight the positive buzz that raises the entire region’s attractiveness and increases its appeal. It will feature, among other things, local phenomena, expertise, housing, culture, and quality of life, and will share talents’ experiences through various stories. These include career stories, migration stories of international experts, and narratives about work culture. Additionally, the site will showcase regional leading expertise and the opportunities offered by networks.

To the websites talentfirst.fi

Building collaboration with partners

During the project, close cooperation will be carried out with North Savonian business operators, educational institutions, and municipal partners. The project’s premise is to operate across municipal, organizational, and business boundaries. Communication is implemented from the perspective of professionals and to promote regional expertise recognition. The activities are planned to continue even after the project’s end.

There are a total of 13 partners in the project, and new partners are also welcome to join after the project. The City of Kuopio acts as the administrator of the project. Below are the project partners:

– Municipalities: Kuopio (project administrator), Iisalmi, SavoGrow (municipalities: Suonenjoki, Rautalampi, Tervo, Vesanto, Pielavesi, and Keitele)
– Educational institutions: Savonia University of Applied Sciences, UEF
– Public operators: North Savo Wellbeing Region
– Private operators: Charles River, KPY Novapolis, Kuopio Region Chamber of Commerce, Kuopio-Tahko Marketing, Medikro, PeeÄssä

Project duration: September 1, 2023 – August 31, 2025

Article in Kuopio by Nature magazine: Talent First – Collaboration across borders
Read the story

Contact:

Reetta Airaksinen

Project Manager

Henna Halmetvaara

Project Designer

Talent First (Talent attraction model of North Savo – impact through collaboration) is financed by the South Savo Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (North Savo ESF+), the European Union, and 13 North Savonian cooperation partners (September 1, 2023 – August 31, 2025)