Employment of immigrants - yhteiskuntaorientaatio.fi
Employment is important for integration
Employment of immigrants is important for one’s own livelihood, well-being, and integration, but also for all of society. If an immigrant is well employed, they pay more taxes, which benefits the economy and helps to fund public services.
A person’s prospects for finding work improve the longer they live in Finland. Integration into Finnish society and learning Finnish or Swedish helps with finding a job.
The status of the economy and society affects everybody’s employment. If the economic situation of the region or the whole country is poor, there are less vacant jobs. Employment prospects differ between fields as well.
The video below discusses job seeking in Finland, the rights and obligations of employees and employers, and different rules and practices connected to working in Finland.
Video: KotonaSuomessa Applying for jobs and working in Finland(Finnish, Swedish, English, Chinese, Tigrinya, French, Sorani, Estonian, Thai, Dari, Kurmanji, Somali, Russian, Arabic)
More information about the employment situation in different fields: Labour force barometer Työvoimabarometri.fi (Finnish, Swedish, English)
Finnish or Swedish skills help to find employment
When a person moves to Finland for a reason other than work, finding employment can take time and they need to put in a lot of effort to find a job. If you speak good Finnish or Swedish, it may be easier to find a job. Some jobs can be done in English, but there are far fewer job prospects.
Some areas in Finland are Swedish-speaking and some are bilingual. That is why knowing Swedish can also help in finding a job. In areas where most of the residents speak Swedish, knowing Swedish is often a requirement for getting a job.
Many employers want their employees to be proficient in the language used at work. For many tasks, speaking Finnish or Swedish is a requirement. Some public sector positions require workers to know both Finnish and Swedish. It is beneficial to improve your skills in Finnish or Swedish alongside work, for instance, by taking language courses. Improving language skills may help with getting ahead in your career or help in finding a new job.
The language proficiency requirements vary according to the job. In some jobs, it may be important to understand spoken Finnish or Swedish and to speak it. In many jobs, good writing and reading comprehension skills are required. Knowing how to read and write is obligatory for all jobs.
Some employers are not yet used to learners of Finnish or Swedish as jobseekers and they may not be able to evaluate the level of language proficiency required for a certain task. In many tasks, one can manage without outstanding Finnish or Swedish skills. Knowing other languages is often beneficial at work.
Good education is valued in Finland
One’s level of education has a big effect on employment and salary in Finland. Where the education has been completed also has significance. Employers often prefer education and work experience from Finland. Most jobs require some sort of education or a degree.
When starting a new job, the employee usually needs to have the necessary competencies for their job through education or previous work experience. Employees are often also expected to continue with further education. This may mean short or long courses for the employee to supplement their knowledge and competence. Some employers allow attending courses during working hours and some courses may be organised by the employer.
In almost all jobs, it is important to have sufficient digital skills that are updated regularly. In some jobs, basic skills are sufficient, whereas in other jobs, employees must be able to use demanding computer software and technologies. Social media competency also provides advantages at work and when searching for jobs.
Schools and universities decide on who to take on as a student and recognising foreign education
If a person has completed a degree or studies abroad and applies to continue their education in Finland, the school or university will decide about accepting this person as a student. The school or university will evaluate the foreign education and its eligibility for further studies.
When a person has received the right to study in Finland, the school or university will evaluate whether or not their competence gained abroad can be accredited for their education in Finland.
Regulated professions have strict qualification requirements
In some professions, specified qualification requirements have to be met. These are regulated by law. These requirements may pertain to education, work experience or passing a certain examination.
These types of professions are regulated professions. For example, most healthcare and social welfare professions are regulated in Finland. For a person to be able to work in these fields, they must have the right to practise this profession. This is granted by Valvira, the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health.
Other regulated professions include educational professions, advocate, auditor, driving instructor, driving examiner and security guard as well as ecclesiastical posts and professions in emergency services. If you have completed your qualification abroad, you need a decision issued by the authorities in order to be qualified to practise any of these professions in Finland.
If you have completed a degree abroad, you also need a decision on recognising this qualification if you want to work in a post which legally requires a higher education degree or a higher education degree of a certain level. These types of posts are found especially in the public sector, meaning the state and municipalities. You can apply for this decision from the Finnish National Agency for Education (Opetushallitus). The decision costs money.
More information about regulated professions. Finnish National Agency for Education : Regulated professions in Finland (oph.fi) (Finnish, Swedish, English)
More information about accreditation of prior learning. Finnish National Agency for Education: Recognition of qualifications (oph.fi) (Finnish, Swedish, English)
More information about recognising professional qualifications: Recognition of professional qualifications (valvira.fi) (Finnish, Swedish, English)
More information about foreign degrees in Finland: Foreign diploma or degree in Finland (infofinland.fi) (Finnish, Swedish, English, Russian, Estonian, Ukrainian, French, Spanish, Turkish, Chinese, Farsi, Arabic)
Many fields require proficiency certificates
Some professions and tasks require different types of proficiency certificates (osaamistodistus). If the work includes handling foods, a hygiene passport (hygieniapassi) is required. Those working in restaurants that sell alcohol must have an alcohol passport (anniskelupassi). Many jobs in construction and industry require employees to hold an occupational safety card (työturvallisuuskortti). Those doing or supervising hot work need a hot work licence (tulityökortti).
Proficiency certificates require passing a test. This usually lasts for a few hours or one day, but before taking the test, the required materials must be studied independently at home. Proficiency certificates are not required by law, but many employers require these from their employees.
More information about Finnish working life: Finnish working life (infofinland.fi) (Finnish, Swedish, English, Russian, Estonian, Ukrainian, French, Spanish, Turkish, Chinese, Farsi, Arabic)