it-ER goes to Finland!

On Feb. 7th Lara Porciatti from the it-ER team had the chance to visit the International House Helsinki, an official regional service that helps international newcomers live and work in Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa. The International House Helsinki is a service point operated by the City of Helsinki. Services are provided jointly by the cities of Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa, Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV), Finnish Tax Administration (Vero), Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela), Finnish Immigration Service (Migri), Helsinki Region Chamber of Commerce, the Finnish Centre for Pensions (ETK) and the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK). International House Helsinki was established as part of the Finnish Government’s Talent Boost Programme, funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment.

They work with newcomers providing pre-arrival support services, giving information on how things work in the Helsinki capital region, what steps to take before and after the arrival and how to get personalised help for relocation. They also provide general advice about life and work to the talents already enstablished in the region, giving guidance and support services on diverse topics ranging from employment coaching to schooling options.  

They work with employers in the Helsinki capital region with matters relating to international employees and international recruitment, assisting with international candidate searches, funding instruments for employers and settling-in support for international employees. They also provide advisory and counseling services for companies and employers on issues such as work-based immigration, right to work and employer obligations.

This meeting strengthened our relationship and gave us new inspiration to improve our programme in Emilia-Romagna.