Stora Enso's factory in Kaukopää photographed in the evening. — Stora Enso factory in Kaukopää.

A sudden structural change plan is being prepared for the Imatra regional municipality

The background is Stora Enso's announcement yesterday about the start of change negotiations at the Imatra factories.

On Wednesday, Stora Enso announced the start of change negotiations at the Imatra factories next week. According to a preliminary estimate, the change negotiations will last six weeks, and as a result, a maximum of 120 people can be reduced.

A group consisting of several actors gathered today, Thursday, to discuss how to support people who might become unemployed. There were representatives from Stora Enso, the city of Imatra, from the ELY center, From the TE Office of Southeast Finland, the South Karelia County Association, the Imatra Regional Development Company, the city of Lappeenranta, the South Karelia Entrepreneurs and the South Karelia Chamber of Commerce, as well as several people from the Ministry of Labor and Economy.

Stora Enso and Southeast Finland's TE office will provide information and support for employment and training opportunities. Depending on the need, it is also possible to agree on a local service point to be opened at the factory for those who need help.

In addition, the cooperation group decided to start preparing an action plan for a sudden structural change, which aims at the most effective and cost-effective development of business life and the creation of new jobs in the Imatra area. At the same time, the aim is to influence the fact that, for example, engineering education is offered in the area, which supports the skills needs of companies. To implement the plan, funding will be sought from the State Council.

At the end of 2023, the South Karelia Federation received 100 euros for the Imatra regional municipality based on an application prepared by the ELY Center to treat a sudden local structural change. The funding was based on extensive layoffs in the region and the effects of the sanctions caused by the Russian war of aggression on tourism and services in the region. The money has been used for the Imatran Regional Development Company's project, the purpose of which is to enable the growth of vitality and business activity in the region and to activate the region's companies in the development of operations.