Future talents are found through internships

Internships are among the most effective ways to connect the expertise of educational institutions with the needs of the working world. Students in vocational education and training, universities of applied sciences, and universities bring current knowledge, motivation, and fresh perspectives to workplaces – often also international language and cultural skills.

Work-based learning and internships allow employers to get to know potential future employees through practical work. During the internship, the student familiarises themselves with the organisation’s operations, enhances their skills to meet the company’s needs, and can quickly take on more responsible tasks. For many employers, an internship provides a natural and risk-free recruitment pathway.

Educational institutions support the employer throughout the process. They oversee the internship goals, agreements, and communication to ensure the internship runs smoothly and is mutually beneficial. The employer’s role is to provide orientation for the student, offer guidance in daily work, and give feedback.

Work-based learning at vocational colleges is an important part of education

Work-based learning is an essential part of vocational education and training, where students build their competence through real work tasks and put the skills learned at the educational institution into practice. This period can occur at different stages of the studies – from the initial phase to more advanced tasks and demonstrations of competence – and provides the employer with the opportunity to train the specialist directly to meet the company’s needs.

Especially for immigrant students, working life offers new perspectives, language skills, and multicultural competence within the work community. Students are often highly motivated to find employment, and on-the-job learning acts as an accessible recruitment pathway for employers, enabling skills and working methods to be evaluated in practice.

The vocational college is responsible for planning on-the-job learning, agreements, and the student’s learning outcomes. The employer’s role is to provide varied and safe work tasks, familiarise the student, and appoint a supervisor to support learning in daily work. Effective cooperation and regular feedback ensure that the period benefits both the student and the employer – and lay the foundation for potential future employment.

Further information on on-the-job learning (in Finnish):
https://sakky.fi/yrityksille/tekijoita-tyopaikalle
https://ysao.fi/tyoelama-yhteistyo/palvelut-tyoelamalle/  
https://riveria.fi/tyoelamapalvelut/

Internships at universities of applied sciences offer flexible and goal-oriented cooperation

On-the-job learning and practical training are compulsory components of university of applied sciences studies, and completing them is necessary for graduation. Practical training is one of the most significant forms of collaboration with working life: during this period, students apply what they have learned in real work situations and demonstrate their skills in actual tasks. The content, working hours, and tasks of the internship are agreed upon flexibly by the employer, the student, and the educational institution.

The internship generally lasts between 1 and 6 months and usually occurs during the summer months (May–August), but part-time or remote internships are also available during the academic year. The internship can be completed in one or multiple periods and, if necessary, across several workplaces. Universities of applied sciences provide standard internship agreement templates, and students are covered by the educational institution’s accident insurance. The salary is always negotiated between the employer and the student.

Internships at universities of applied sciences provide tangible benefits for companies and clear recruitment opportunities. Students can continue collaborating after the internship, such as on a thesis, and for many employers, the internship naturally leads to recruitment. International companies can also benefit from the skills of international students studying in Finland or offer internships abroad.

More information about internships (in Finnish):
https://www.savonia.fi/tki-ja-palvelut/opiskelijat-apunasi/tarjoa-tyota-opiskelijalle/ https://www.karelia.fi/opiskelijat-apunasi/

The university’s UEF Trainee is a cost-effective route to recruitment

Research indicates that internships for university students are crucial for employment opportunities and their commitment to Finland after graduation. An internship often serves as a student’s first experience with Finnish working life, providing employers the chance to evaluate their skills in a real work setting. International students are especially eager to secure employment in Finland, with many actively seeking work in Eastern Finland after they graduate.

The UEF Trainee is a subsidised traineeship programme for international undergraduate students. Trainees can work on expert, development, and project tasks, such as data analytics and IT solutions, business and market surveys, research support, environmental and social responsibility, communications, or international projects. Students apply for a traineeship through a university-managed recruitment system, and the employer selects the trainee from the applications.

The University of Eastern Finland provides employers with EUR 3,000 to support paid traineeships of at least two months. The trainee is employed under a fixed-term contract in accordance with the sector’s collective agreement. The UEF Trainee offers an affordable and low-risk way for companies to hire: during the traineeship, the employer gains a genuine understanding of the trainee’s skills, working methods, and motivation – and a successful traineeship often leads to further employment.

More information about the university’s internship programs:
https://www.uef.fi/en/recruit-an-international-talent

Text: Tiina Weman
Photo: Sakky