Digital Transformation of Work
The latest figures from the center for business, transport and the environment paint a gloomy picture. Unemployment has increased by last year, which can be seen especially among young people. There are many reasons behind moving, but it is influenced by the unemployment rate, which is clearly higher than the country’s average, and the reduced number of jobs, as well as young people moving to study. Not everyone can find interesting fields or enough places to study. This can be seen more prominently in rural areas, because there the school path is interrupted either at middle school or high school. An educational center has benefited from this and it has been reflected in a gentler decline in population.
New hope for digital solutions
Living and succeeding in the midst of transition requires a bold rethinking. The digital transformation of work and study should be seen as an ever greater opportunity to keep the population in their own locality. The use of digital technology would make it possible for those living in rural areas to be educated via the internet, and more and more work is being done remotely. The change is also visible in lab university of applied sciences extensive offer of multi-modal studies. This significantly expands the future images of those living in rural areas, and there is no mandatory migration to study at a young age.
Rural municipalities and small towns should also see remote workers as a target group to attract to move. Concrete investments in remote workers comfort and making life easier would act as an attraction factor. These could include free remote work spaces, relocation allowances and discounts, and a designated regional developer that would specifically focus on supporting and attracting remote workers. Of course, the countryside already has many good aspects, such as cheaper living costs, a calmer pace of life and beautiful nature. Even long distances are not as frustrating as queuing in traffic.
We are looking for unemployed men as participants
Lab university of applied sciences plan b – towards new opportunities project is looking for new directions such as digital solutions for men who are at risk of being out of a job during structural changes. New fields and educational opportunities are brought to the area by educational institutions and project partners; municipalities and entrepreneurs in the region. The project is currently looking for unemployed men to participate in the first pilot groups.