Employment counseling for youth

My name is Olli Pitkänen, I work as an employment counselor. There are 5 youth employment counselors working in our unit.

Our service is provided to child welfare clients, from 17 to 20 years and client of social work until age of 25 years. Each employment counselor has apprx 25-35 clients.

We work closely together with social worker who sends us referral of a client or books us an appointment with the client. Our service is voluntary to our clients and some of them are willing to get some support from us and some of them are not so keen.

After getting referral from social worker or after the first appointment with the social worker and client, counselor invites client to personal meeting. At this point we interview them and make sure that they have been signed in to the employment office. As our clients they must be unemployed and seeking for job. We can support them in going to the office and make the necessary “paper work”. Clients who signs in t the employment office must be at least 17 years old. Then they have an opportunity to get Labour market subsidy, which is around 800 euros per month, before taxes.

During the first meetings we make a personal plan for every client. The Plan includes a description of the present situation, targets and how to reach those targets.

For example , if someone wishes to get a job in as an construction worker, we can look for open jobs together and apply for the job or find out how to study the field. Getting job isn´t that easy. You need a plenty of motivation and will to try over and over again.

I´d say that most of our clients don´t have the motivation or the skills to get a job just like that. That´s why it´s excellent that lot of employers are willing to take young people for practical training. The Trainees are allowed to the labour market subsidy (which is around 800 euros per month, before taxes). Practical training gives you the experience and you can convince the employer about your skills.

Practical training place

Employment counseling has also it´s own practical training place. This place is small and cousy café called Café Villa Ullas. it´s located in eastern Helsinki by the sea shore. In the café there are three frontmen supervising and counseling the trainees in different tasks, like baking, selling the products, making lunch and cleaning. The period of practical training can last from one month to six months, depending on ones personal plan. After the practical training some of our trainees have found similar permanent jobs from open market and some of them are studying in catering schools.

Training courses

We also have BOOST!-courses for young people who need lots of help in getting up from bed and who are not able to do almost anything day-to-day. These courses are 1 month long and there we provide information on different vocations and education possibilities for youth. During the course client´s personal strengths and also limitations according to studying and working abilities are evaluated and target is to make a realistic plan for their future.