Integration services support integration and employment of immigrants
Promotion of integration refers to a wide range of measures and services provided by the authorities and other parties to promote and support integration. These measures and services are organised as part of the municipal integration programme and employment services as well as basic municipal services and health and social services of the wellbeing services county.
Assessment of skills and service needs related to integration, and information on Finland
The need for measures and services promoting integration and employment of immigrants is initially evaluated in the assessment of skills and the need for integration services. The assessment is carried out either by the employment authority or the municipality. At the request of the employment authority or the municipality, the wellbeing services county will also participate in preparing the assessment if the immigrant's service needs require the coordination of services of different authorities.
Immigrants are also provided with basic information on Finnish society and on how to receive support for integration and employment. Municipalities are responsible for providing immigrants, if necessary, with general guidance and advice on Finnish society, the service and education system, work-life and the rights and obligations of immigrants in Finland. The objective is that immigrants who have moved to Finland for various reasons have equal access to information and advice on the most important issues related to settling-in, integration and Finnish work-life, at a minimum.
Integration training includes language teaching and vocational planning
Immigrants who have completed compulsory education are provided as part of integration training
- Finnish or Swedish instruction
- skills facilitating access to work-life and further training
- on-the-job learning period
- recognition of prior learning
- vocational planning and career guidance.
Final examination on Finnish or Swedish language proficiency must be organised as part of integration training. Integration training is largely implemented as labour market training.
The Ministry of Education and Culture is responsible for reading and writing training for adult immigrants and for basic education for adults. However, integration training may include studies that strengthen the immigrant's skills in mastering the Latin alphabet, if necessary.
Public employment services promote the employment of immigrants
Immigrants are also directed to employment-promoting services organised by the employment authorities, such as vocational labour market training and self-motivated studies. Immigrants are also encouraged to engage in entrepreneurship and referred to services provided by regional business associations.
Support is available to immigrants in need of special measures. Likewise, children and young people who have arrived as unaccompanied minors and who have received a residence permit can receive support services in accordance with the Integration Act.