Integration of International students in the Finnish Job market
Malik, Umair (2016)
Malik, Umair
Lahden ammattikorkeakoulu
2016
All rights reserved
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2016061012682
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2016061012682
Tiivistelmä
There are almost 20,000 International students currently enrolled in Finnish Higher Educational Institutions. However, the retention rate of these students is lower than average OECD countries. A sizeable majority of International students move out of Finland after graduation, in search of better job opportunities. The problem has been their lack of integration into the Finnish Job market, where despite open positions and demand of skilled workers, these graduates find it difficult to fill those positions.
The study aims to analyze the problem from a solution oriented perspective and come up with recommendations for all stakeholders. These include, the International students, Finnish employers and companies, as well as Higher Eductional Institutions.
The thesis is based on two qualitative surveys, one is International student survey conducted to gather responses from current students and alumni from 4 Higher education Institutions, Tampere University of Technology, Turku University, Laurea University of Applied Sciences, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences. The second survey was carried out among International students at Lahti University of applied sciences as part of OSSI-Skills up project. Based on the results of these surveys, interviews were conducted with three professionals, each one an expert in their field. Among these three professionals, one expert is an adviser in development policy at Finnish foreign ministry, and one as director of a start up consultancy offering Internationalization services to Finnish companies and businesses. The third person is business adviser at Enterprise Espoo, helping new entrepreneurs with business advise.
The following research questions were formulated; How to integrate international students in Finnish job market after they graduate? Identify the obstacles faced by International students to stay and pursue a career in Finland? And explore possible solutions to address the lack of integration in Finnish Job market.
In conclusion, it is recommended that International students actively participate in entrepreneurship in Finland and adopt it as a career choice after graduation. As the country has excellent support infrastructure for entrepreneurship.
The study aims to analyze the problem from a solution oriented perspective and come up with recommendations for all stakeholders. These include, the International students, Finnish employers and companies, as well as Higher Eductional Institutions.
The thesis is based on two qualitative surveys, one is International student survey conducted to gather responses from current students and alumni from 4 Higher education Institutions, Tampere University of Technology, Turku University, Laurea University of Applied Sciences, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences. The second survey was carried out among International students at Lahti University of applied sciences as part of OSSI-Skills up project. Based on the results of these surveys, interviews were conducted with three professionals, each one an expert in their field. Among these three professionals, one expert is an adviser in development policy at Finnish foreign ministry, and one as director of a start up consultancy offering Internationalization services to Finnish companies and businesses. The third person is business adviser at Enterprise Espoo, helping new entrepreneurs with business advise.
The following research questions were formulated; How to integrate international students in Finnish job market after they graduate? Identify the obstacles faced by International students to stay and pursue a career in Finland? And explore possible solutions to address the lack of integration in Finnish Job market.
In conclusion, it is recommended that International students actively participate in entrepreneurship in Finland and adopt it as a career choice after graduation. As the country has excellent support infrastructure for entrepreneurship.