25.3.2021
Vaasa International Talents has been launched
The Vaasa International Talents programme brings together 23 international talents representing five higher education institutions in Vaasa and seven English degree programmes. The aim of the programme, financially supported by the City of Vaasa, is to help the participants to develop their skills for Finnish working life and to connect with employers in the region in various ways.
The programme students were greeted by Tomas Häyry, Mayor of Vaasa, at a kick-off event on 23 March. Häyry stated the importance of the international students in Vaasa, and noted that whilst 120 languages are spoken by the inhabitants of Vaasa, no less than 20 of these are represented at some level amongst the Vaasa International Talents programme participants.
The second guest speaker at the event was Director Paula Erkkilä, Ostrobothnia Chamber of Commerce, who gave an overview of the business environment in the Vaasa region. She painted an encouraging picture of the possibilities to find a meaningful job in the region, mentioning for example the existing energy cluster of 160 companies and on-going innovative projects such as Wärtsilä’s Smart Technology Hub.
She pointed out that the region’s labour market is much more than engineering: it has been shown that one industry workplace creates one workplace in the service sector, which means that there is a need for many kinds of employees. The message from both Erkkilä and Häyry was that although employers look for specific competencies, the right attitude can take people a long way.
Vaasa International Talents seeks employers
Employers in the region will be contacted to see if they are interested in providing international talents with the opportunity to connect through internships, thesis work, mentoring and other possibilities to visit. The selected students represent the following degree programmes:
- Bachelor of Health Care, Nursing (Novia UAS)
- Master’s Degree Program in General Management (Hanken School of Economics)
- Master’s Degree Program in International Business (University of Vaasa)
- Master’s Degree Program in Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research (Åbo Akademi University)
- Project Management, Master of Engineering (VAMK UAS)
- Information Technology, Bachelor of Engineering (VAMK UAS)
- International Business, Bachelor of Business Administration (VAMK UAS)