Post by Venten Group

"The labour shortage is not a temporary crisis – it is the new normal." This message from Kersti Vannas (Instar EBC) captured the essence of yesterday's discussions at Lääne-Virumaa majanduskonverents 2026: kellele ja kellega me Lääne-Virumaad ehitame, that took place at Arvo Pärdile pühendatud muusikamaja Ukuaru. Venten founder Toomas Tammer participated in the panel discussion "The reality of business – what kind of workforce should we expect by 2030?", where one message stood out clearly: automation is part of the solution, but not the whole solution. Toomas offered a perspective that sparked discussion across the room: "We are all part of society. The workforce of 2030 is being shaped today. As employers, educators and parents, we all influence the attitudes, work ethic and responsibility of the next generation. At Venten, we see every day that the future of manufacturing depends on two things: technology and people. While companies continue investing in automation, robotics and smart manufacturing solutions, investing in skills and continuous learning is equally important. 💡 That is why Venten Academy organises internal training sessions every two weeks with trainers from around the world. Through Venten Academy and our cooperation with Tallinn University of Applied Sciences, we organise CNC Level 4 training programmes and support both our own team and manufacturing professionals across the region. While Venten is known for supplying CNC and sheet metal manufacturing technologies, we see our mission as much broader than delivering machines. We actively bring world-class knowledge, best practices and industry expertise to the region. Some other key takeaways from the conference: • Finland's entrepreneurship village model gives children their first real work experience already in primary school through applications, salaries and practical responsibilities. • Every generation is different, which means leaders need new skills and new approaches to connect with younger employees. • When a young person takes the initiative and reaches out, businesses should make every effort to provide experience and exposure to working life. • Communities matter. Many young people return to their hometowns because of quality of life, strong roots and a supportive local environment. • Young people do not come to work only for a salary, they come to grow. • Entrepreneurship is often romanticised, yet with freedom comes responsibility. Employment remains an important source of stability and security. There was also encouraging news from the national level. The Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund is creating dedicated youth adviser roles to engage with young people expectations. Future workforce is something we build together.