Helsinki, Finland – The Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK) has announced the launch of a new group mentoring program aimed at enhancing employment opportunities for international students in Finland.

The pilot program, dubbed “Match Made in Finland,” is set to commence in the spring of 2025. It is specifically targeted at second-year university of applied sciences (Polytechnic Institutes) students who aspire to refine their professional skills and gain a deeper understanding of the Finnish job market.

“Our primary goal is to equip students with practical workplace skills and expand their professional networks,” explained Minna Vidgrén, the program coordinator at EK.

The mentoring program will operate in a group format, facilitating regular interactions between company mentors and mentees. Additionally, the program will include company visits, offering students firsthand exposure to the Finnish work environment.

“This program provides international students with a unique opportunity to elevate their professional skills and gain insights into the Finnish job market. The group mentoring format also fosters peer support among mentees, which is invaluable,” Vidgrén emphasized.

The pilot phase of the “Match Made in Finland” group mentoring program will be implemented in the Helsinki metropolitan area during the spring of 2025.

International second- and third-year students enrolled at universities of applied sciences in the Helsinki area are eligible to apply.

Applications for both mentors and mentees are now open and will close on December 31, 2024.

“EK’s ‘Match Made in Finland’ represents a significant step towards encouraging international students to remain in Finland post-graduation. The program will select 100 students, so we encourage interested individuals to apply promptly,” Vidgrén concluded.