Paths to a new profession in Finland – What to do when you need to change careers?
Demchenko believes that it is important to take initiative. Proactive approach helped her to get summer job and later secure study-at-work contract.
Darja Vesala
Darja Vesala
Published 21.11.2024 3:14
Many immigrants in Finland have faced a dilemma: to improve their chances to get employed, they need to acquire a new profession. Reasons may vary. Maybe the degree they have is not recognized in Finland, or some other profession just offers better job opportunities.
Yuliia Demchenko experienced this situation after moving from Ukraine to Finland in 2019 under the family reunification program. Back home, she had spent most of her career in the metallurgy industry.
“When I arrived in Finland, I realized that metallurgy isn’t as developed here, so it wouldn’t be easy to find a job in that field,” Demchenko explains.
“However, there is high demand for workers in healthcare in Finland. I immediately planned to pursue a profession related to healthcare.”
As for many newcomers in Finland, first challenge was to learn Finnish. After a year of language studies, Demchenko tried to apply for further education.
Different educational levels in Finland require different language skills. Lowest requirements are in ammattiopisto’s (vocational college), where usually B1 level Finnish is required. Some special groups tailored for migrants may even accept students with A2 level of Finnish.
The average duration of studies is from 2.5 to 3 years, and education is free of charge. Admission involves entrance exams and a language test, but the pathways to enrolment can vary.
Oppisopimus gives the opportunity to work right away
Since Demchenko wanted to work in the health care, she applied first for a lähihoitaja (practical nurse) programme. It turned out that her Finnish skills were not sufficient, and she was not accepted. Instead, she was advised to apply for the shorter hoiva-avustaja (care assistant) program, with the explanation that it would be easier to transition to lähihoitaja afterwards.
Demchenko applied and got accepted. During her studies, Demchenko completed a two-month internship at a nursing home. She impressed her supervisors and was offered a job for the summer.
After the summer job, Demchenko tried again to apply for lähihoitaja, and this time she succeeded.
Her teachers at the school informed her about oppisopimus (apprenticeship training), which would offer another path to her goal.
With oppisopimus, a student makes a contract with an employer. They work full-time and receive a salary, while attending classes on designated days. For many, this may be a more viable way of financing one’s studies than student benefits provided by Kela.
The key condition for this type of training is that students must secure a workplace willing to sign a training contract.
For Demchenko, that was the easy part: “I went up to the manager, and she immediately hired me.”
Otherwise, the start of oppisopimus training had also its difficulties – especially because of the Finnish language barrier. Her colleagues and a translator were a big help.
“You rely on your life experience and observe how your colleagues do the work. People’s reactions vary: if you don’t speak Finnish, they won’t spend much time on you. But if you quickly dive into the work and figure things out, there won’t be any problems,” Demchenko says.
Balancing work and study was not easy either. Demchenko worked full shifts on both weekdays and weekends, while using her free time to study.
“It’s tough, but you need to understand your priorities. You work, and in return, you get paid. After about six months, you get used to the schedule and start planning your study and rest hours,” Demchenko says.
Special training for those who are unemployed
Not everyone has the possibility to combine full-time work and studies as Demchenko did. For them, työvoimakoulutus (vocational training) can be an option.
This training, offered by the Finnish TE-palvelut, is intended for job seekers over the age of 20 who are unemployed or at risk of unemployment and have completed their compulsory education. Both Finns and migrants are eligible to apply, but the applicant must be registered as unemployed with the TE-toimisto.
Työvoimakoulutus is organized for sectors experiencing labor shortages. According to the labor exchange, these sectors currently include transportation, social services, healthcare, real estate management, and information technology. Training in cleaning and hospitality industries is also available through targeted personnel development programs.
During työvoimakoulutus, students receive the same unemployment benefits as they would if they were unemployed – either a basic daily allowance based on previous earnings or labor market support (työmarkkinatuki). Daily allowances for travel and meals are also provided during the training (excluding during holidays).
However, it’s important to note that interrupting studies without a valid reason can lead to the suspension or reduction of unemployment insurance for a limited period. The TE-palvelut also mentions that in the future, it may become more difficult to access new training programs, as refusing them may be seen as a sign of lack of commitment.
Työvoimakoulutus is quite a popular option. According to a labor market survey by the Ministry of Labor and Economy, as of the end of September 2024, there were 23,400 students enrolled in labor force training, an increase of 400 persons compared to the previous year. The program is in demand both among Finns and migrants. For example, in September 2024, the TE-toimisto in Uusimaa had 3,009 Finnish applicants for labor market training and 3,331 foreign applicants.
More detailed information on the training and application process can be found on the TE-palvelut website, where open applications for enrolment are also posted.
If an applicant plans to pursue studies independently, rather than through työvoimakoulutus program, they may also be eligible for unemployment benefits from TE-toimisto for up to two years, provided they are registered as unemployed. This option must be coordinated individually with the local TE-toimisto.
Own experience taught, why Finnish education has such a good repuation
Yuliia Demchenko is happy with the training she received with the oppisopimus. She notes that while a similar system exists in Ukraine, it’s not quite fair to compare the two. She believes the education system in Finland is more convenient and flexible.
“They’re right when they say Finnish education is among the best. I heard that before I moved to Finland, but I didn’t understand why. Once I experienced it myself, I got it,” Demchenko says.
Demchenko’s oppisopimus studying ends in January. She plans to continue her studies in the future, but this time on a full-time basis, and she’s ready to take on part-time work during weekends or in the evenings.
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