Finnish industries reported a generally positive business outlook over the next six months, but recruitment has become a problem, according to a quarterly business outlook survey by the Confederation of Finnish Industries.

“Finnish companies felt that the upward trend continued in the first quarter of the year,” according to the confederation. “Expansion has been solid especially in manufacturing. The current situation is estimated to be better than average in all main sectors. However, recruitment has become an acute problem.”

Recruitment difficulties worsened in all sectors, and 28% of respondents felt they had become an obstacle to growth, according to the April 2018 survey. That compares with 22% in a similar survey in January.

The survey includes 1,251 companies that employ 260,000 people.

However, the report did note the labour force is expected to continue growing in manufacturing and services, and moderate growth in the number of employees is expected in the second quarter in all main sectors.

Merru Tuliara, CEO of the country’s private employment agencies’ association, or HPL, told the Finnish Broadcasting Company that shorter, focused training is needed to help give workers the needed skills for jobs.