Empowering immigrant employment through projects

The role of municipalities in integration is expanding, they must now plan broader service packages and build an ecosystem that effectively supports holistic integration. Many municipalities are currently facing important questions: How can we respond to labor shortages and a declining population? The KOTO24 reform introduces new obligations, but at the same time, it opens up opportunities to develop integration services more flexibly and cost-effectively.

Project-Based support for employment

Spring House has implemented the Women’s Opportunities for Work and Education project in cooperation with five adult education partners from Germany, Portugal, Iceland, and France during the period 1 February 2022 – 31 October 2024.

The project has piloted various methods for skills recognition, strengthening employability, career planning, and employer collaboration. Based on the experiences gathered, a framework has been developed to support immigrant women in progressing toward work and education while also engaging employers in the process.

According to the project findings, the key prerequisites for improving the employment prospects of immigrant women in vulnerable labor market positions are continuous skills recognition throughout the integration journey, as well as long-term, diverse career guidance.

When designing integration services, it is essential to remember that for many immigrants, progress does not happen overnight. Complex starting points require time, and effective guidance must always be based on the individual’s own goals and motivation. Often, achieving this clarity requires support in identifying personal skills and rediscovering motivation.

Systemic barriers to integration can be solved through multisectoral collaboration

The field of integration faces a range of complex challenges that require comprehensive and sustainable solutions. Finland’s population is aging, while many industries are suffering from labor shortages. Within the immigrant population, there is significant untapped workforce potential, yet the situation has been made more difficult by recent cuts in integration funding.

In these circumstances, it is essential to develop innovative and long-term solutions to ensure successful integration and to enable Finland to fully utilize its available labor potential.

The KOTO24 reform expands municipalities’ responsibilities in organizing integration services, not only for quota refugees but also for those integrating through employment. Going forward, municipalities will need to invest in strategic, broad-based, and sustained cooperation, bringing together different stakeholders to coordinate integration services. This collaboration forms the foundation for implementing holistic and sustainable solutions.

Special attention should also be given to immigrants in the weakest labor market positions. Providing them with consistent, long-term support promotes inclusion and helps prevent intergenerational inequality.

Finnish integration training stands strong in international comparison

Well-organized integration not only prevents inequality but also strengthens the vitality of municipalities which is why ensuring high-quality integration services is of utmost importance. The KOTO24 reform encourages all actors municipalities as well as service providers to find innovative and flexible solutions for organizing integration services.

Spring House has been providing national integration training services for over 20 years. Based on our experience, both integration training and other comprehensive integration service models should focus on the following key areas:

• Tailored learning paths: Services should always be based on the individual’s background, needs, and readiness. Every integration journey is unique, personalized training accelerates the process and leads to more effective results.

• Integration training and working life connections: Developing language skills and strengthening employability are central to successful integration. Work-oriented training solutions that include practical work placements and networking opportunities help immigrants integrate into the labor market more quickly.

• Flexible training models: The design of integration training should take into account local and situational needs. Digital learning platforms, hybrid models, and remote training can increase accessibility and flexibility, especially in sparsely populated areas or when the number of participants varies.

• Multisectoral support and guidance: Integration and employment support should be provided through collaboration across multiple sectors. Cooperation between employment authorities, educational institutions, and companies is essential to ensure that participants receive comprehensive support for entering working life.

Successful integration always starts with the individual’s own abilities and circumstances, as every integration path is different.

Tailored Solutions for Integration

As a long-standing provider of integration training, Spring House has developed methods that build tailored solutions based on each participant’s skills, supporting their employment and integration into both the local community and Finnish society.

We hope that many stakeholders will benefit from the insights and models developed in the WOW-e project, which bring European perspectives, particularly in the areas of multisectoral guidance and the importance of employer connections.

Together, we can continue to innovate and implement diverse, sustainable solutions for integration in the future.

Let’s build the integration solutions of tomorrow, together!