Social and health care and also the clinical laboratory work and laboratory personnel’s work content is changing all the time, so the influence of that change on work in a laboratory and also on competence requirements must be re-evaluated.

The purpose of this study was developing information about future changes in laboratory work and a Biomedical Laboratory Scientist’s competence requirements approximately after 10 years.

This qualitative research was committed by an open interview of two experts of a clinical laboratory. The research material was analyzed by using the method of content analysis.

The results of this study revealed that automation in laboratories is going to increase also in future, which can mean that laboratory personnel may not be needed as much as now. However, the baby-boom generation is going to retire in near future, so workforce is still going to be needed. Also the worry of availability of competent personnel is real as it might be difficult to get professionals in little laboratories where the work is almost only sample taking. On the other hand, in bigger units the requirements of controlling information and device technology is going to increase.

The results of this study may be used when developing the curriculum for the Degree Programme in Biomedical Laboratory Science and also when evaluating the appropriateness of the current curriculum to meet the needs of working life.