Supporting newcomers through civic orientation and future skills - yhteiskuntaorientaatio.fi
Civic orientation introduces Finland as a country and as a society
This Civic Orientation learning material offers an extensive overview of Finland as both a country and a society. The material is designed to provide newcomers with knowledge, support, understanding, and insights to help them understand their new environment. The material answers questions such as what kind of country Finland is and how its systems and people function.
The aim is that, after familiarizing themselves with the learning material, the reader will be better prepared to integrate into Finnish society. By going through the material, newcomers get to know the values and culture of Finnish society and understand how the things function. They become aware of their rights and responsibilities in Finland and feel more confident handling official matters and everyday tasks on their own. The idea is that, with a better understanding of how and why things work in Finland, it becomes easier to take part in society and even contribute to its development.
The ten sections of the Civic Orientation learning material explore the opportunities Finland offers for family life, working life, and finding a good balance between the two. The material also provides information on the various pathways to education and training, as well as ways to participate in and influence the society.
Finland is a welfare society that provides great conditions for living a good life. To succeed in Finland, it’s important to have a good command of either Finnish or Swedish. Education is also highly valued. With strong language skills and a solid educational background, a wide range of study and work opportunities become available.
In Finland, it is possible to combine work and family life, and working hours are generally reasonable. The country offers a wide range of opportunities for hobbies and recreational activities. Healthcare services are extensive and of high quality. Participation in associations and civic engagement is common and widely encouraged.
Future skills support newcomers
Moving to a new country is a significant life change. It takes time to adjust to new conditions, the climate, cultural and social norms. It requires adaptability, perseverance, and creative thinking to find one’s own path to employment or to build new social networks.
In the beginning, newcomers may find themselves dealing with uncertainty and solving everyday problems with little information at hand. For example, education or work experience gained abroad may not be fully recognized or considered equivalent in the Finnish job market. Family life and social networks may also look different here. Newcomers may find that their original plans need to be changed to fit the realities of life in Finland.
The same skills that help someone settle into a new country are also useful for dealing with today’s fast-moving and uncertain world, and they're called future skills.
Future skills help people to better integrate into their new home country, by making it easier to handle change, deal with the unknown, and solve problems as they come up.
Examples of future skills include adaptability and perseverance, continuous learning, problem-solving skills, creativity and critical thinking, collaboration and teamwork, digital skills, and cultural awareness.
Facing change requires both adaptability and perseverance
Adaptability means the ability to face and overcome difficulties. It also refers to the capacity to adjust quickly to change. Adaptability is needed for both small and large changes, as well as fast and slow changes—in work, in society, and in the world. A person with strong adaptability skills seeks solutions and transitions flexibly from familiar ways of thinking to new ones. A perseverant person believes in themselves and keeps trying, even when they face challenges. They also are not afraid to seek help when needed.
Continuous learning is a key requirement in modern work environment
The ability and willingness to learn and improve oneself continuously is a key future skill. As work environments change, ongoing training and even complete retraining may be necessary. Equally important is learning how to learn—that is, the ability to observe and reflect on one’s own learning process. A good learner understands how they learn the best
The ability and desire to learn new things and develop oneself is a key skill for the future. The constant change in work requires regular additional training and even retraining. It is also important to learn, i.e. to be able to follow your own learning. A skilled learner knows how he learns best.
Creativity and critical thinking help solve problems
Effective problem-solving requires both logical thinking and the ability to define the problem clearly. It also involves creativity and previous knowledge. Creativity is the ability to generate new ideas and put them into practice. Critical thinking, on the other hand, includes the ability to evaluate information, identify problems, and develop innovative solutions.
Good problem-solving skills, creativity and critical thinking are based on adequate general education and knowledge (yleissivistys). General education and knowledge include the essential skills, knowledge, and values required for active participation in society, acquired through both family upbringing and formal education. Good general education and knowledge enable people to be active and equal members of society.
Collaboration and teamwork skills make work smoother
The ability to work effectively with others is increasingly important, as teamwork has become a central part of modern work environments. This demands strong collaboration, interpersonal, and empathy skills. Good social skills not only make everyday interactions smoother but also help in navigating difficult situations.
Digital skills are useful at work, in everyday life and during studies
Digital skills — knowing how to use technology and find the right information online — are essential for everyday life, studies and work. It is important to know how to use digital tools and technology effectively. Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and automation continuously reshape how we communicate, work, and network, requiring individuals to adapt and develop new skills.
A culturally aware person knows how to act in different situations
In today’s globalized world work and learning environments become increasingly internationalized. People from diverse backgrounds are coming together more than ever. Cultural awareness is the ability to reflect on one’s own thoughts and behaviours, and to choose actions that are appropriate for the situation. It involves understanding both diversity and one’s own identity and being able to work effectively and constructively within diverse groups and communities.
Planning your future in Finland
At the end of the Civic Orientation, it is good to stop and think about what you want from life in Finland. What are your long- and short-term goals in terms of work, education, hobbies, family life, and civic participation? What do you want to achieve and what interests you? What future skills are your strengths, and how could you use them to support your integration into Finland? What future skills could be further developed? Think and discuss!