TalentTrekFinland

The TalentTrekFinland project aims primarily to facilitate the effective integration of international professionals and students into the Finnish labour market. The project promotes access to skilled labour while advancing the resolution of labour market mismatch issues. In the long term, it will boost the competitiveness and growth of Finland’s business sector.

Funders

Oulun kaupunki

Project information

Project duration

-

Funded by

Multiple sources

Project funder

Euroopan Rakennerahasto - Euroopan Sosiaalirahasto (ESR+)
Oulun kaupunki

Funding amount

221 002 EUR

Project coordinator

Other university or unit

Contact information

Project leader

  • Director
    Elina Palola

Project description

The target groups of the project include international students already residing in Finland; degree-holding foreigners living in Finland with no current employment; employed international experts; and companies and employers.

The project will produce new solutions and operational models to promote the employment of international students and skilled experts. Labour-market receptiveness and retention will be strengthened. Cooperation between companies and education providers will deepen. In the long term, the project will improve the integration of international students and skilled professionals into Finnish society, thereby supporting the growth and competitiveness of the Finnish business sector.

TalentTrekFinland is a nationwide project co-funded by the European Union. It is coordinated by the Educational Consortium OSAO and implemented in cooperation with the University of Oulu, Oulu University of Applied Sciences (Oamk), the Oulu Chamber of Commerce, Adult Education Centre of North-East Finland (KSAK Oy), Kainuu Vocational College (KAO), Tampere Vocational College (Tredu), the Vocational Education Centre (JEDU), Brahe Education Centre, and the Federation of Education in Central Ostrobothnia (Kpedu).

The University of Oulu is responsible for the language training provided within the project.

The project receives funding from the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment of Central Finland (Keski-Suomen ELY- keskus) through the European Social Fund (ESF+). The City of Oulu also provides financial support.

TalentTrekFinland is part of the nationwide “Future Labour Markets” initiatives addressing labour–market matching.

Project actions

Target group measures:

International talents and students

Supporting employment

  • Bus tours to businesses in the provinces
  • Identifying internship, work-based learning, and apprenticeship opportunities
  • Finnish language training for working life
  • Developing a mentoring model and career guidance
  • Multilingual teaching and guidance, including civic orientation
Companies and employers

Developing the receptiveness of working life

  • A productised service package to support international recruitment
  • English-language training for work communities
  • Workplace training (cultural awareness, plain language, anti-racism)
  • A language-mentor model for companies
  • Educational institution audits on international-talent receptiveness
Teaching and guidance staff in educational institutions

Developing capacities and structures

  • Development of multilingual guidance and student welfare services
  • Designing short courses for international students
  • Implementing the internationalisation strategy and developing tutor activities
  • Enhancing the visibility of study pathways and further-study opportunities
General public and the third sector

Strengthening regional retention

  • Compiling and presenting third-sector and municipal services
  • A “spouse-pool” model to promote the employment of international talents’ spouses
  • Cooperation with local actors to promote social inclusion