Supporting the employment of Ukrainians through OODI's Finnish language studies
Martjanova, Alina (2024)
2024
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2024091625250
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2024091625250
Tiivistelmä
This thesis explores how OODI’s Finnish language studies can support the employment of Ukrainians in Finland. The OODI project targets Ukrainians with temporary protection in Finland who fled the conflict in Ukraine.
This thesis aims to explore the challenges Ukrainians face while looking for employment, the impact of their Finnish language skills on their job opportunities, the cultural dynamics between Finns and Ukrainians by using the Hofstede's dimensions, and the role of the language café in migrants’ integration, employment and development of Finnish language skills. The examples from studies on language cafes in Sweden and Norway were applied. This work also considers the role of the Red Cross and TE Office in supporting Ukrainians’ employment and integration into Finnish society. Häme University of Applied Sciences has commissioned this thesis.
A qualitative method was used for this research, including a survey and semi-structured interviews. The survey is based on the results of a Webropol questionnaire for Ukrainians with temporary protection in Finland who completed their OODI courses. The survey analysis shows that the biggest challenges to gaining employment are the Finnish language barrier and a lack of experience or qualifications. Despite these challenges, Ukrainians recognize the importance of learning Finnish for employment. Interviewees highlighted the support a language café provides for their adaptation to Finnish life. Additionally, it is a community where Ukrainians can connect with others facing similar challenges.
Recommendations were given based on the interviews with the TE Office and Red Cross representatives, a Finnish language teacher and language cafe participants, as well as on the survey results.
This thesis aims to explore the challenges Ukrainians face while looking for employment, the impact of their Finnish language skills on their job opportunities, the cultural dynamics between Finns and Ukrainians by using the Hofstede's dimensions, and the role of the language café in migrants’ integration, employment and development of Finnish language skills. The examples from studies on language cafes in Sweden and Norway were applied. This work also considers the role of the Red Cross and TE Office in supporting Ukrainians’ employment and integration into Finnish society. Häme University of Applied Sciences has commissioned this thesis.
A qualitative method was used for this research, including a survey and semi-structured interviews. The survey is based on the results of a Webropol questionnaire for Ukrainians with temporary protection in Finland who completed their OODI courses. The survey analysis shows that the biggest challenges to gaining employment are the Finnish language barrier and a lack of experience or qualifications. Despite these challenges, Ukrainians recognize the importance of learning Finnish for employment. Interviewees highlighted the support a language café provides for their adaptation to Finnish life. Additionally, it is a community where Ukrainians can connect with others facing similar challenges.
Recommendations were given based on the interviews with the TE Office and Red Cross representatives, a Finnish language teacher and language cafe participants, as well as on the survey results.