Survey of 276 Tampere Education Leaders Pinpoints Training Gaps

According to the City of Tampere, a new regional assessment will sharpen leadership development for early childhood, basic and upper-secondary education managers across the Tampere city region.

The study collected responses from 276 leaders and deputy leaders, including principals, vice-principals and unit managers. The average response rate was 80 percent. The evaluation was commissioned through Tampereen seudun Osake and carried out with researchers from the EDUCA flagship group, funded by the Academy of Finland.

It found strong skills in socio-emotional, everyday administrative and ethical leadership, as well as in pedagogical leadership, community-building and distributed leadership. Gaps emerged in digitalisation, network collaboration, financial management, strategic personnel leadership and anticipatory crisis management. Respondents also asked for more peer discussion, practical training, clearer leadership structures and support in using digital tools.

Service manager Katariina Ratia said the results provide a precise basis for directing future training. Local officials Pia Kuisma and Nokia’s education director Mika Seppänen highlighted the value of regional cooperation and tailored development work.

The assessment follows the city's March announcement of a shared foresight planning model to better align vocational and adult education with employer needs, and complements recent local pilots such as results-based bonuses trialled in seven daycare centres this autumn.