Lessons learned from employing ukrainians
When the crisis in Ukraine began, it marked a turning point in the Finnish labor market. It quickly became clear that action was needed to help as many Ukrainians as possible find employment so they could secure their livelihoods, support their families, and integrate more effectively into Finnish society. This situation challenged Finnish companies and organizations to develop entirely new approaches to internationalization and workforce inclusion.
The StaffPoint Group was among those who created completely new models to support the employment of Ukrainians. StaffPoint launched the Työstä turvaa (Security through Work) initiative, through which more than 500 Ukrainians have already been employed. Within Spring House, also part of the StaffPoint Group, new career and job search coaching programs were introduced for Ukrainians, along with the development of tailored employment support services. In addition, Spring House strengthened its integration training offerings with Ukrainian-specific groups and programs designed to support their skills and employability.
Projects supporting the employment of ukrainians within the staffpoint group
- StaffPoint’s Security Through Work project
- Spring House’s VeKo – Attractiveness through international talent (ESF project, 2020–2023)
- Spring House’s Vikkelästi töihin (Quickly to Work) ESF project, 2021–2023
- Spring House’s Avoin työelämä (Open Working Life) project, 2021–2022
- Spring House’s Entergr8 project, 2022
- Spring House’s WOW-E project, 2022
Our experience and commitment to supporting the employment of Ukrainians have been significant. They have demonstrated that integrating international talent into the Finnish labor market is not only possible but also highly beneficial. We remain dedicated to this important work and continue to develop our services to provide even better opportunities for international professionals and to support their long-term success in Finland.
Lessons learned from employing ukrainians
Through the projects and initiatives mentioned above, we have gained valuable insights that have helped us develop even more effective practices for employing Ukrainians and supporting their integration into Finnish working life.
- Be bold and try hiring your first Ukrainian employee, it often leads to hiring more.
- The first step is easier if someone in the team speaks Russian or another shared language.
- Give employees the opportunity to demonstrate their skills.
- Make use of work trials and wage subsidies, and remember the importance of good onboarding.
- You will quickly see their suitability for the job, their skills, and their willingness and ability to learn.
- Trust that Ukrainian employees are skilled, motivated, and reliable workers.
