Temporary Staffing Firms See Hiring Turnaround as Industrial Demand Jumps

Temporary staffing firms say Finland’s employment slump has hit bottom and hiring is now recovering this spring. YLE reports that personnel-sector revenue and company data point to an improving labour market in March–April 2026.

Helan’s review of the 20 largest staffing companies found overall revenue in the sector rose 3% in March year-on-year, Helan CEO Merru Tuliara told YLE. Barona’s development director Teemu Junkkarinen said the turnaround appears to have been sustained for several months, and Labore forecasting head Juho Koistinen noted that staffing firms have first-hand, real-time insight into demand that supports the observation the rise in unemployment may be ending.

Government forecasts remain cautious: the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment expects employment to increase by about 2,000 people this year, and official data showed unemployment grew in all age groups in April. Still, Tampere-founded Work Power reports industrial staffing needs are up more than 30% in January–April versus last year and transport and logistics openings have risen roughly 11%. Junkkarinen highlighted stronger prospects in Western Finland and Ostrobothnia, driven by data centre projects, green-transition infrastructure and maritime and defence supply chains, while retail sectors are awaiting clearer growth signals.