Since the beginning of this year, those working in the construction industry have been required to have a certificate of qualification. Architects who have completed their studies outside the EU or EEA cannot obtain the certificate required by law, as the regulatory framework remains incomplete. SAFA calls for a swift resolution to the situation.
The new Construction Act, which came into force last year, introduced mandatory certificates of qualification for the industry. In order to obtain a certificate of qualification, architects need a degree certificate. If the degree has been obtained abroad, it must first be recognised in Finland by the competent authority.
The recognition of degrees obtained in EU and EEA countries is regulated by the EU Professional Qualifications Directive. Legislation relating to the recognition of qualifications obtained in other, so-called third countries, is the responsibility of each EU country.
In Finland, no such legislation has been enacted with regard to qualifications in the construction sector. Nothing has been done to remedy the situation, despite Petteri Orpo’s Government Programme promising to ‘address the shortage of skilled and educated labour through effective measures, including streamlining the recognition of foreign qualifications’.
As a result of the lack of legislation, dozens of architects are finding themselves in an impossible situation: they cannot be granted certificates of qualification, and without it, they can no longer work as building designers under building permits.
“The problem affects the entire construction sector, but most of those who have completed their degrees abroad are architects,” says Pia Selroos, a specialist at SAFA.
The Ministry of the Environment is responsible for regulations concerning the recognition of qualifications in the construction sector. The Ministry has long been aware of the need for legislation governing the recognition of qualifications, but no steps have yet been taken to prepare such legislation.
“We have discussed this several times at the Ministry. This issue has been raised every time we have had meetings. Our message has been clear,” Selroos says.
The problem affects both Finnish architects and architects of foreign origin working in Finland who have obtained their degrees outside the EU and EEA countries. There are more than fifty SAFA members who have completed their studies in third countries.
According to Selroos, it is unacceptable that architects who have worked in Finland for decades are suddenly being deprived of the opportunity to continue in their roles. The situation is not only arbitrary but also contrary to the principles of equality and the constitution.
The problem also affects many architectural firms with international staff.
“We have a large group of skilled professionals who have worked in exceptionally demanding expert positions in Finland, but this incomprehensible legislative shortcoming prevents them from pursuing their livelihoods,” Selroos says.
The transition period is set to continue until the end of 2026. Until the end of the year, those who have worked in design roles in Finland may continue to operate in similar roles and difficulty classes without an official certificate of qualification.
However, there is already urgency in fulfilling the promise made in Orpo’s Government Programme.
“The most important thing now is to extend the transition period until the lacking legislation has been completed,” Selroos says. This will safeguard the jobs of private practitioners in particular, whose entire business is dependent on their professional qualifications.
The article is a summary of articles published on the Finnish Architectural Review’s website on 4 March and 9 March (author Silja Ylitalo).