The connections with working life and work-based education are the key priorities in the Forestry department. A new Curriculum will be introduced in 2012. Therefore it is essential to study the needs and changes of working life in order to be able to respond them. This master’s thesis offers background data for the adjustment work of the curriculum. This study also offers some suggestions how to develop the connections with working life.

The financing system is about to be changed in the University of Applied Sciences. The development, research and innovation work and the graduates’ employment are going to have a more significant role in financing. Therefore the connections and cooperation with working life is more crucial today than ever before.

The forestry field has been changing radically during the last three years. The forest industry has moved away from Finland and on the other hand the competition in supply of services between the organizations has tightened. Even the profile of a typical forest owner has changed. How do these alterations affect the working life? And how will the teachers keep up?

The altered operating environment requires a stronger understanding of business economics, better marketing skills and a good expertise of customer relationship management. Nevertheless there has to be a solid knowledge of forestry related subjects. Professional competence creates credibility.

This study was carried out as a qualitative study.