a women with a computer and mention of EU co-funding of Hidden Potential project

55+ Hidden Potential – an employment project for the unemployed with higher education degree

55+ Hidden Potential project solves the challenges of unemployed jobseekers over the age of 55 with a higher education degree to find employment. The project develops and pilots a new quadrilateral cooperation model (employment areas, partner companies, jobseekers and universities of applied sciences).

Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences offers jobseekers innovative career design and coaching that applies the principles of mindfulness. Partner companies get a skilled employee for whom a competence compass has been drawn up based on the future job description. With the help of the new cooperation model, the employment areas (Porvoo and TyöHäme) will be able to employ people over the age of 55 more smoothly. 

 

The main objectives of the 55+ Hidden Potential project:

  • Employment of unemployed jobseekers over the age of 55 with higher education who participate in the project permanently or for at least a year.
  • Strengthening the resilience of the jobseekers participating in the project to change and other employment skills. 
  • Co-developmentand pilot of a quadrilateral operating model for age-friendly employment.
  • Nationwide dissemination of results and influence on negative age prejudice through communication.

55+ Hidden Potential

Duration: 1.8.2026 – 31.7.2028

Project Manager: Nora Lappalainen 

Implementor: Haaga-Helia in cooperation with the employment areas of Porvoo and TyöHäme and partner companies. 

Funding: Economic Development Centre of Southeast Finland, ESF+ co-funded by the European Union. The total funding for the project is 255 587 euros, of which 191 674 euros (75 %) is external funding and Haaga-Helia's self-financing share is 63 913 euros (25 %).

Research area: Service innovation and design

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