Talent Boost Program in Finland for International Citizens

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Finland is in need of skilled international citizens for the Talent Boost Program. This program is a comprehensive initiative designed to nurture and develop organisational talent. It aims to identify high-potential individuals and provide them with the necessary support and resources to maximize their skills and capabilities. The program typically includes various activities such as training, mentoring, coaching, and career development opportunities.

Through the Talent Boost Program, organizations can create a culture that values and invests in its employees, enabling them to reach their full potential. The program helps attract and retain top talent by offering a structured framework for growth and advancement.

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Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s administration has created a cross-administrative project called Talent Boost to increase the immigration of senior professionals, employees, students, and researchers. It focuses on luring talent essential for Finnish companies’ expansion, globalisation, and RDI in the fastest-growing industries. Additionally, it goes after industries where there is a workforce shortage. The program aims to increase Finland’s appeal to professionals and their families to a new level. The project supports the government’s goal of a 75% employment rate.

The government of Prime Minister Juha Sipilä decided to implement the scheme Talent Boost, which focuses on foreign specialists, in 2017. The governments of Prime Minister Antti Rinne and, beginning on December 10, 2019, Prime Minister Marin will continue to implement the initiative and scale it up to include more worker migration. The immigration and integration of foreign researchers and students into Finland will receive more focus.

Why does Finland need more international talent?

Various reports have identified the availability of talent as one of the main challenges facing Finnish companies, especially as they try to expand and become more international. Companies need more skilled workers with different specialities than Finland has to offer. 

To become leaders in their fields, Finnish operators must be able to attract the best international talent or those with the greatest potential. This applies to companies, higher education institutions and innovation operators.

Finland will also need more international talent to succeed in the worldwide competition for investment. Diverse skills and competencies among the workforce and easy access to labour are two of the main reasons why companies invest in specific countries or regions.

Talent Boost Program objectives

  • Finland is becoming popular as a place to live, work, study, research, and invest.
  • Employers are ready and able to hire people from abroad.
  • The knowledge of foreign experts propels the globalisation and rejuvenation of Finnish businesses and institutions.

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Measures Taken for the Talent Boost Program

The Talent Boost program’s bundle of measures can be divided into three categories: The various measure packages are not distinct. The many bundles of measures are tied together, forming the core of Talent Boost activities.

  • Attracting talent
  • Developing immigrant legislation and permit procedures
  • Strengthening the conditions for growth and retention

Eligibility

The Talent Boost program welcomes applications from skilled professionals, researchers, entrepreneurs, and students worldwide. The eligibility requirements may change depending on the program’s individual talent recruiting programmes and schemes. Typically, applicants should possess relevant qualifications, skills, and experience in fields of high demand in Finland. Various work and residence permit options are available to facilitate the entry and stay of international talent.

Benefits

The following are the benefits which the citizens will receive in this program:

  • The residence permit system to achieve a two-week fast track for specialists, growing business owners, and family members 
  • One-month average processing time for all work- and education-based residence permits. The change includes granting foreign students residency permits for their degree program until completion and extending the two-year job-searching time following graduation.
  • Finland offers a spouse support program where a person can help find employment for the family.
  • Enhancing the ability of businesses and other employer organisations to hire persons who don’t understand Finnish or Swedish and their diversity competencies
  • Improving the digitalisation of the system for granting resident permits
  • Creating a system for identifying and registering immigrants
  • Improving the detection and avoidance of foreign workforce exploitation
  • Solutions that put the needs first of the customer that encourage the entrepreneurship, employment, and integration of global talent
  • Improving the connections to and readiness for employment of international students in Finland 
  • Language learning options should be expanded to prepare international students for employment in the Finnish labour market, and Finnish and Swedish language proficiency among international students should be improved.
  • Encouraging cooperation between international talent and businesses, for instance, through trainee programmes, initiatives, mentoring, and co-creation models
  • Developing degree recognition and equivalency services and expanding the availability of supplementary and authorised training.

Also Read: How to apply to French Public Universities: Unlocking Opportunities

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Talent Boost Program in Finland stands as a remarkable initiative to attract and retain international talent, foster innovation, and strengthen the country’s position as a global hub for expertise and creativity. The Talent Boost Program emphasizes the importance of collaboration between businesses, educational institutions, and public authorities. By fostering partnerships and knowledge exchange, Finland ensures that the expertise and insights of international talents are effectively utilized to drive innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic development. 

The Talent Boost Program is a shining example of how nations can leverage their strengths and embrace international talent to fuel innovation, foster cultural exchange, and enhance global competitiveness. Finland’s commitment to attracting and retaining international talents is a testament to its openness and strategic investment in its future success.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. What is the Talent Boost Program in Finland?

The Talent Boost Program in Finland is a comprehensive initiative to attract and retain international talent. It encompasses various measures and services designed to facilitate the integration and success of international professionals in Finnish society, academia, and businesses.

Q. What are the benefits of the Talent Boost Program for international professionals?

The Talent Boost Program offers a range of benefits for international professionals, including tailored recruitment processes, integration support, networking opportunities, language learning resources, offering advice on relevant topics, such as housing and administrative procedures. These services aim to ease the transition and enhance the overall experience of international professionals in Finland.

Q. How does the Talent Boost Program support businesses in Finland?

The Talent Boost Program supports businesses in Finland by providing resources for talent acquisition, facilitating access to international networks, promoting collaboration between companies and educational institutions, and fostering an environment conducive to innovation and growth. By attracting international talent, businesses can enhance their competitiveness and bring fresh perspectives to their operations.

Q. Does the Talent Boost Program target specific sectors or industries?

While the Talent Boost Program is applicable across various sectors, it does have a particular focus on fields where there is a high demand for international expertise, such as technology, research and development, ICT, and healthcare. These sectors often require specialized skills and benefit from the global perspectives that international professionals bring.

Q. Are there financial incentives or support available through the Talent Boost Program?

The Talent Boost Program does not provide direct financial incentives. However, it collaborates with other programs and initiatives in Finland that offer grants, funding, and support for research, innovation, and business development. International professionals may access such opportunities by engaging with the Talent Boost Program.

Q. How can international professionals participate in the Talent Boost Program?

International professionals can participate in the Talent Boost Program by exploring job opportunities in Finland, engaging with recruitment agencies, attending networking events, and accessing the various resources and services the program provides. Educational institutions and research organizations can also collaborate with the Talent Boost Program to attract international talent.

Q. If the degree student does not find a job and leaves, is it a loss for Finland?

Yes, because international students have already integrated into Finland. It is a loss, particularly if students are motivated to find work in Finland but cannot do so despite suitable degrees. According to the Eurostudent (2020) study, 50% of international students want to find employment in Finland after their studies, while 40% are unsure of their plans. International students, therefore, hold great potential for the Finnish labour market. 

Q. How have tuition fees affected the number of foreign students in Finland?

Since 2016, universities and universities of applied sciences have been permitted to charge tuition from students outside the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA) who come to Finland to study for a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a foreign language. Tuition fees became obligatory in higher education institutions on 1 August 2017. Since then, the number of foreign students in universities of applied sciences has grown. The number of new foreign degree students temporarily fell by 17% in universities of applied sciences and by 34% in universities between 2016 and 2017. The number of foreign students in universities has fluctuated more, and it fell slightly in 2018–2019. However, most new international students come from outside the EU/ETA: 77% of those completing a university of applied sciences degree and 71% of those completing a higher education degree in 2019.

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Saket Kohli

An International Higher Ed professional with 7+ years of experience studying, working, and living across three geographies, currently on a mission to share his journey as an International Student.

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