International talent shaping Finland – mentoring creates new paths to employment

Finland’s labor market needs talent

The shortage of skilled professionals in Finland is a growing concern. Currently, 68 percent of companies report difficulties in finding the right talent, an increase of about ten percent compared to last year. The lack is most severe in the IT and data sector as well as in technical, sales and marketing roles. An aging population and the shrinking share of working age people are adding pressure to find new solutions. International expertise plays a key role in meeting this demand. The aim of the mentoring program is to create connections that enable newcomers to Finland to put their skills into practice while helping companies find the talent they need.

Strong results

This autumn, the program brings together 26 mentors and 26 mentees. Since its start, a total of 148 mentors and 148 mentees have participated. The impact is clear: 62 percent of participants have secured employment in their own field. In last year’s follow-up, 52 percent of participants had found work within six months of completing the program.

Employment outcomes have not been limited to a single role. Participants have been hired in their own fields, for example as software engineers, data analysts and in information management.

Diverse backgrounds

This year’s participants come from a wide range of countries, including Sri Lanka, India, Ukraine, Vietnam, Portugal, Benin, Taiwan, Turkey, Iran and Russia. Mentors represent an equally broad variety of expertise, from game programmers and software developers to team leaders and finance professionals. Each participant is matched with a personal mentor based on their skills and career goals.

“Our mentoring programs are much more than job search coaching. They create bridges between experience and ambition. When already 62 percent of participants have found employment during or after the program, we can clearly see how this work changes the opportunities of people with a migrant background and gives them a chance to succeed,” says Arkan Aal-Owayef, Skills Development Manager at Startup Refugees.

Moving forward together

Employees from Tietoevry and Netlight volunteer as mentors. The collaboration benefits both sides: participants receive practical guidance and new networks, while mentors also gain valuable learning experiences and a broader perspective on working life.

 “We are proud to participate in the Startup Refugees mentoring program for the second year in a row, working to build a more functional society for the future. Employing immigrants in positions that match their education, skills, and expertise is extremely important—not only from an individual perspective but also for Finland’s overall competitiveness. Further, the mentoring program is an excellent opportunity for our employees to strengthen their expertise, not only in mentoring but also in inclusive leadership,” says Julius Hurri, Talent Manager at Netlight Consulting.  

“At Tietoevry, we are proud to continue our long-standing collaboration with Startup Refugees, made even more special this year as they celebrate their 10th anniversary. Once again, our employees have enthusiastically joined as mentors in the program, supporting immigrants in building their professional lives in Finland. By unlocking the skills and potential of these talented newcomers, we not only help them succeed but also strengthen diversity, innovation, and perspectives within our teams and across the technology sector,” says Jonna Peltola, Head of Communications & Brand at Tietoevry

The program is based on the idea that people who have moved to Finland are not a challenge but a valuable resource. Participants bring with them expertise that is urgently needed in the Finnish labor market. The hackathon, introduced this year for the first time, adds a new dimension by giving participants a concrete opportunity to showcase their skills and highlight the role of international talent in building Finland’s future.

Media Inquiries:

Startup Refugees, Sabrin Falhi, Communications and Brand Manager, sabrin@startuprefugees.com | +358 44 238 2564

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 1,800 jobs, trained more than 1,100 aspiring entrepreneurs, and assessed the skills of over 10,000 immigrants.

Netlight Consulting,  Julius Hurri, Talent Manager, julius.hurri@netlight.com | +358 40 510 010

Netlight is a technology consulting company with over 2,000 professionals, operating in Helsinki, Stockholm, Oslo, Copenhagen, Munich, Hamburg, Berlin, Frankfurt, Zurich, Cologne, Amsterdam, London, and Toronto. We help leading technology companies succeed in business-critical projects across areas such as data, design, software development, and IT management consulting. Netlight has been recognized in numerous company rankings, initiatives, and competitions related to growth, diversity, inclusion, and equality.  

Tietoevry, Communications, news@tietoevry.com | +358 40 570 4072

Tietoevry is a leading software and digital engineering services company with global market reach and capabilities. We provide customers across different industries with mission-critical solutions through our specialized software businesses Tietoevry Care, Tietoevry Banking and Tietoevry Industry, as well as our digital engineering business Tietoevry Create. Our around 15 000 talented vertical software, design, cloud and AI experts are dedicated to empowering our customers to succeed and innovate with latest technology.

Tietoevry’s annual revenue is approximately EUR 2 billion. The company’s shares are listed on the NASDAQ exchange in Helsinki and Stockholm, as well as on Oslo Børs.