In their future report, the professors of the software industry present measures for coping with the crisis in the software industry.
The Finnish software industry is in crisis. The skills shortage is counted in the tens of thousands, public software procurements are stalling and news about serious information system problems comes every week. Finland has lagged behind the main competitor countries in terms of financing software research, the number of students and the productivity of software development.
Software professors from seven Finnish universities have drawn up the Software in Finland 2023–2033 future report, which presents measures to remedy the situation.
The professors’ statement states that the government must initiate the preparation of a national software strategy. Business Finland and the Academy of Finland must launch a 150 million euro strategic software production research program. The Ministry of Education and Culture (OKM) must increase and develop software education at all levels, but especially in universities.
Three main points
Finland’s success is built on software. That is why a national software strategy is needed. The Finnish government must initiate the preparation of a national software strategy. It can be used to guide legislation, public procurement, and direct the funding of teaching and research. The strategy creates conditions for the development and maintenance of the capabilities of the software industry, as well as for securing the national self-sufficiency and reliability of the software industry.
Finland’s position in international competition can be ensured by allocating funding to software production research. Business Finland and the Academy of Finland must start a strategic software production research program (150 MEUR). The goal of the program is to generate high-quality and productive software development and its research. It would focus on the development of productivity, quality and management of software production and would include both long-term research and shorter-term business development.
It is necessary to get academically qualified new experts from Finland and from outside Finland. The Ministry of Education and Culture (OKM) needs to increase and develop software education at all levels, but especially in universities. Practices aimed at international students must be developed and the threshold for employment in Finland must be lowered. The amount of doctoral education must also be doubled.
The Software in Finland 2023–2033 future report and statement are supported by Allied ICT Finland, DIMECC Oy, Koodia Suomesta ry, Software Finland ry and the SW4E ecosystem.
More information
Professor Kari Smolander, LUT University kari.smolander@lut.fi, +358405463493
Verneri Åberg SW4E Ecosystem Director, verneri.åberg@dimecc.com, +358 50 517 8955
Download link Software in Finland 2023–2033 report (in Finnish): https://www.dimecc.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Ohjelmistot-Suomessa-2023-2033.pdf