Almost impossible language requirements hinder the integration of immigrants into Finnish society. However, social cohesion is above all a question of income distribution, so supporting the employment and economic livelihood of immigrants as early as possible strengthens the well-being of society as a whole.
– What is needed is diverse development of working life, more flexible educational paths and, of course, employers who value the right attitude and skills at a stage when the language itself is still being learned. ISS is such an employer, Vamia’s special education teacher Maarit Karlsson assures.
ISS Palvelut is the country’s leading provider of workplace and facility services. In Vaasa, the company is responsible for the cleanliness and comfort of the premises of several large operators.
– Maarit is a kind of headhunter for us. She knows our needs and wishes and finds the right trainees for us. In just over a year, my team has taken on a dozen employees who were found through internships at Vamia. The recruitment threshold is lower and the success rate is very good, says Pasi Ylitalo, service representative at ISS.
Maarit acts as a liaison for employers within the framework of the ESF+ funded Silta project and provides primary support for students at the beginning of their career paths.
Sometimes even shorter training is enough to find employment. The City of Vaasa’s Employment Services commissioned Vamia to provide training for a group of 19 immigrants and ordered one part of the basic qualification in cleaning and property services. The training ensured that the students master modern tools and techniques, hygiene and environmental regulations, and occupational safety factors, even though the training period did not prepare them for the whole vocational degree.
– The group included immigrants from Pakistan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, among other countries. They were extremely committed, enterprising, and positive people. Almost all of them have already found jobs or continued their studies, says Maarit.
Pubudu De Silva and Eranga Gunawardana arrived in Finland from Sri Lanka. The men have a lot in common. Even their year of birth. They both arrived in Finland with their families in 2024. Both of them have two children of kindergarten and elementary school age.
The reason for the move is their wives’ studies in Vaasa. Pubudu’s wife is studying energy technology at a university of applied sciences and Eranga’s wife is studying international business. However, the families did not know each other before moving to Vaasa.
– We couldn’t find work, even though we both have degrees in accounting from our home country, they say.
Through employment services, they found their way to Vamia and from there smoothly to ISS.
– We were at school three days a week and at work two days a week. We were paid for our working days from the start. Now we are in permanent employment. We have been made to feel welcome and the work is varied. I believe we will stay in Finland. Our children are absolutely convinced of this, Pubudu and Eranga assure us.