The objective of the Refugees’ Working Life Skills – from Recognition to Employment-project is to facilitate employment of refugees who have the right to work in Finland or are about to obtain it. Immigrants' employment rates are reportedly lower than those of the Finnish population, and it is particularly challenging for women with young children to find employment (Statistics Finland, Employment rate).

The project aims to

• map and acknowledge refugees' skills, also entrepreneurial skills
• collaborate with employers to acknowledge the skills and secure employment
• develop refugees' skills through intensive training and coaching

The project aims to create a model that assesses the education and experience levels of refugees and guides them towards employment or additional training of work-related skills. The model considers the barriers to employment faced by refugees, particularly their inadequate language skills. The project team will work with employers to develop a work-based job recruitment model. The results of the project can be utilized to effectively identify skills in organizations working with refugees.

Implementation period 03/2023–02/2025

The target groups of the project are Ukrainian citizens who have been granted temporary protection and asylum seekers with the right to work, employers in the capital area, and organizations working with refugees such as reception centers, city and state employment services, and other organizations involved in refugee employment.

Participating in the project and employing refugees can bring several benefits to companies:

• The labor shortage and recruitment will become easier when you recognize the need for skilled and enthusiastic workforce that matches your needs.
• By increasing the diversity of your work community, you will enhance competitiveness, develop responsible business practices, and address the challenges of sustainable development.
• You will receive support from Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences for recruitment, onboarding, and skills enhancement.
• You will have the opportunity to network with experts from Haaga-Helia and other participating companies, gaining visibility for your company in the project's communication.
• You will gain visibility for your company in the project's communication.
• You will have the opportunity to influence the development of training programs that enhance work skills.

Participating in the project helps to hire competent workforce, increase diversity, and create a positive impact in the community.

Project events

Spring 2025

• Final Seminar: Employment Bridges for Refugees – From Recognizing Skills to Employment, Thu 6th Feb 2025, 9 AM - 12 PM

Autumn 2024

• Boost Your Job Search - Workshop, Diakonissalaitos, Tue 20th Aug, 4 PM - 6 PM 
• Glögi event for Refugees in collaboration with Monika – Multicultural Women’s Association, Finnish Refugee Council, Finnish Red Cross, and Fenix Finland, Thu 12th Dec, 4 PM - 6 PM
• Producing the final publication, model, and tools based on collected experiences and materials.

Spring 2024

• 3T Project: Tastes and opportunities - Working together for successful refugee employment! at Haaga-Helia's Haaga campus on Thursday, March 7, 2024, from 14 to 18.  Register by Wednesday February 28, 2024 at the latest.
• Experience Ukrainian Cuisine - Event at Haaga-Helia's Haaga campus on Thursday, March 7, 2024, from 14 to 18
• Experience Ukrainian Cuisine - Event at Haaga-Helia's Haaga campus on Thursday, March 7, 2024, from 14 to 18
• Breakfast event Thursday, January 18, 9.00-10.30
• Competence Interviews
• Open university studies offered through the project (free of charge).
• MegaCV Workshop and preparation for Contact Forum, Monday, January 22, 2024, from 15 to 18
• Contact Forum recruitment event for university graduates at Messukeskus, Thursday, January 25, 2024, from 10 to 17
• Recruitment event: Care and education, Thursday, January 25, 2024 from 12 to 15
• Job Search Workshop and preparation for Duuniin.net event, Monday, January 29, 2024, from 16 to 18
• Duuniin.net -Recruiting event:, including free professional photography, at Pasila Campus, see the introductory video, Wednesday, January 31, 2024, from 10 to 15
• LinkedIn-workshop, Febryary 5, 2024, from 16 to 18
• Several recruitment events during the Spring 2024
• Well being afternoon, March 24, 2024 from 16 to 18, Lapinlahden Lähde

Autumn 2023

• Breakfast events for employers and stakeholders, as well as for those receiving temporary protection, in August 2023.
• Skills interviews and language tests for Ukrainians currently involved in the project in August 2023.
• CV, cover letter, and LinkedIn workshops in September and October 2023.
• Participation in recruitment events (Vantaa Mega Recruitment in September 2023, Aalto Talent Expo in November 2023).
• Company Story - Ukrainian grocery store Sopilka on October 17, 2023.
• Educational opportunities offered through the project on October 17, 2023.
• Fair work environment rules on December 7, 2023
• Company-specific recruitment cafes - meetings between employers and employees.
  • As an internationally educated job seeker in Finland and the successful presentation of your own skills in job hunting (Academic Work; HH Joona Mäntyvaara) on October 5, 2023.
  • City of Helsinki - Early Childhood Educators on November 3, 2023.
  • Interested in having your own recruitment cafe for your company? Contact: petra.lindell (at) haaga-helia.fi
• Company webinars and workshops:
  • Multicultural employees as a resource for companies - Vantti and HOK-Elanto share their experiences on November 15, 2023, from 9 am to 11 am.
  • Hiring foreign employees and employment relationships in Finland - Chamber of Commerce on November 22, 2023, from 9 am to 11 am.
  • The list will be updated when dates are confirmed.
  • Do you have any specific topics you would like a webinar or workshop on? Contact: petra-lindell (at) haaga-helia.fi
• A common recruitment event - Networking and recruitment event centered around Ukrainian food, spring 2024.

Publications

Kähärä, P. 2022. Pakolaisten nopea työllistyminen on kaikkien etu. Haaga-Helian eSignals.

Lindell, P., Ruotsalainen, S. & Saaranen P. 2023. Pakolaisten työelämävalmiuksien 3T – tunnista, tunnusta, työllisty. Haaga-Helian eSignals.

Ruotsalainen, S. & Saaranen, P. 2023. Ukrainalaisten unelmat ja toiveet työllistymisestä Suomessa. Haaga-Helian eSignals.

Ruotsalainen, S. & Saaranen, P. 2024. Yritykset kaipaavat yhteistyötä pakolaisten työllistämiseen. Haage-Helian eSignals. 

Kokkonen, A.-R. 2024. Kielitaito työnhakijoiden tavoitteena ja työnantajien toiveena. Haaga-Helian eSignals.

Kokkonen, A.-R. & Lehtoviita, K. 2024. Tukea työssäkäyvien kielen oppimiseen. Haaga-Helia eSignals.

Pihlajamäki, C. 2024. Monikulttuurisuuden vaikutukset lähijohtamiseen. Haaga-Helia Thesis.

Palojoki, F. 2024. Tilapäistä suojelua saavien ukrainalaisten työllistymiseen johtavan asiakaspolun kuvaaminen ja kehittäminen. Haaga-Helian opinnäytetyö.

Saaranen, P. & Ruotsalainen, S. 2025. Rohkeutta monimuotoiseen rekrytointiin. Haaga-Helia eSignals.

Kokkonen, S.-R. & Ruotsalainen, S. 2025. Selkokieli tuo tehoa työnhakuun. Haaga-Helia eSignals.

Final publications: 

Pakolaisten rekrytoinnin ja työllistymisen tukemisen opas

Tehoa työnhaluun -työkirja

Helsinki Employment services for Ukrainians

Academic Work

Sopilka

Vantti