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MESH - Employing immigrants via networks and mentoring

Tampere University of Applied Sciences
14.1.2019–31.12.2021

The aim of the project is to support persons with immigrant backgrounds, in other words international talents,
positioning into the Finnish labor market.
On the international level of the project, critical factors of immigrants’ mentoring practices are identified, criteria for
effective mentoring is created by utilizing respective countries experiments and terminology of the topic is clarified.
Additionally, together with the international partners, course of action for networking and more efficient encountering
between the employers and employees will be developed.

Goal

According to several different reports, immigrants’ employment to the Finnish labor market is poor. Challenges of
employment are insufficient Finnish language skills and that the know-how gained abroad is not always recognized in
the labor market. Immigrants often have insufficient contacts to the Finnish working-life and little work experience from
Finland, which lowers their chances of employment. By strengthening immigrants’ networks and by utilizing
mentorship, their possibilities of being employed to professions consistent with their education is improved.
Employing immigrants is crucial, however currently international talents and the work available don’t encounter.
International talents bring international connections and networks along them, which supports the economic growth of
the area.
International aspect in development work is important, since networking is being developed in very different ways in
different countries. For example, networking and mentorship programs, which promote employment, differs greatly
depending on the country. Diversities can arise from e.g. different scales of programs and depend on which actors
implement them.

The project consists of five work packages:
1) Project administration and communication (TUAS)
2) Networks supporting mentoring activities (TAMK)
3) Development of mentoring methods (LAMK)
4) Structure of mentoring(TUAS)
5) Employing Immigrants via networks and mentoring (international cooperation)

In Finland, the project is implemented in cooperation between Turku University of Applied Sciences (TUAS), Lahti
University of Applied Sciences (LAMK) and Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK). Internationally the
project partners with KU Leuven (Belgium), Economic House of Osteend (Belgium) and Beyond the Horizon (Belgium).
Duration of the project: 1/2019-12/2021.

Contact Persons
Minna Niemi, minna.niemi [at] tuni.fi
Sanna Keskikuru, sanna.keskikuru [at] tuni.fi
Nasrin Jinia, nasrin.jinia [at] tuni.fi

Read more
MESH project: https://mesh.turkuamk.fi/in-english/
Step Model: https://mesh.turkuamk.fi/steps/
Tools for Mentoring: https://mesh.turkuamk.fi/uploads/2021/03/9f7b2a6b-mentoring-tools.pdf

Funding source

Euroopan sosiaalirahasto (ESR) 2014-2020

Contact persons

Minna Niemi
minna.niemi [at] tuni.fi