We are continuing our mentoring programme together with Startup Refugees and Netlight. The programme helps people who have moved to Finland find their place in Finnish working life and make use of their skills and experience.
Finland’s labour market needs more international talent. An ageing population and a declining working-age population are increasing the need to attract and retain skilled professionals from diverse backgrounds. Demand is particularly strong in IT and data, as well as in technical, sales and marketing roles.
The mentoring programme builds connections between companies and professionals who have moved to Finland. Participants receive support with job seeking, building professional networks, and understanding Finnish working life. Meanwhile, companies gain the opportunity to connect with talented professionals whose skills and experience are needed in Finland.
Making a difference through mentoring
This autumn, the programme brings together 16 mentors and 16 mentees. The programme that launched in 2019, has brought together a total of 164 mentors and 164 mentees. Across all participants to date, 62 % have found employment in their own field. Participants have moved into a wide range of roles, including software engineering, data analysis and information management. Employment data for the 2025 cohort will be collected in December 2026.
A broad range of expertise and experience
This year’s participants come from countries including Ukraine, Sri Lanka, India, Palestine, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Iran. The mentors represent a broad range of expertise, including AI engineering, cloud architecture, design consulting, business analysis, communications, and recruitment. Each participant is matched with a personal mentor based on their background, skills and career goals.
"Our mentoring programmes are about much more than helping people find a job. They help participants understand Finnish working life, build professional networks and strengthen their confidence in their own skills and expertise. At the same time, mentors gain new perspectives and a deeper understanding of the skills, experience and potential that international professionals bring with them," says Arkan Aal-Owayef, Business and Skills Development Manager at Startup Refugees.
Collaboration creates opportunities
Employees from Tieto and Netlight volunteer as mentors in the programme. The mentoring relationships provide an opportunity to discuss topics such as job searching, career development and workplace culture. Mentors also gain new perspectives by learning from the participants' diverse backgrounds, experiences and professional journeys.
“We have had the pleasure of being part of Startup Refugees’ mentoring programme for several years now. It is wonderful to see how enthusiastically our employees share their expertise to support professionals who have moved to Finland. Mentoring offers them a valuable opportunity to support mentees along their career paths. At the same time, mentors can learn new things themselves, broaden their perspectives and deepen their understanding of diversity,” says Liisi Hatinen, Communications and Investor Relations Specialist at Tieto.
The programme began on 3 September. This year, it will also include a hackathon, giving participants a practical opportunity to apply their skills, demonstrate their capabilities and learn more about working life in the technology sector.
People who have moved to Finland are a valuable resource for Finnish working life. They bring with them skills, experience and perspectives that Finland needs. Together, we are building a working life in which international talent plays an increasingly important role in shaping Finland’s future.
Startup Refugees supports refugees, asylum seekers, and other migrants in employment, skills development and entrepreneurship. Since its founding in 2015, the network has facilitated over 2,250 jobs, trained more than 1,300 aspiring entrepreneurs, and assessed the skills of over 10,000 immigrants.