International Services and Integration Services

From 1 January 2025, the Central Savonia Employment Area will be responsible for the management of integration and immigration-related official tasks in the city of Varkaus. The team is made up of integration experts and its task is to take care of all services related to integration and employment for integration clients, guidance and counselling for immigrants, and the promotion and coordination of integration and multidisciplinary cooperation at local level. The team's tasks also include the initial reception of refugees.

The integration services team provides support to foreign-language unemployed people from Varkaus who have moved to the city for various reasons, in dealing with the authorities, in everyday life and during leisure time. We also provide services to jobseeker clients in Varkaus, Pieksämäki, Joroinen and Leppävirta. Our aim is to support people to lead an active life in their local community and in Finnish society.

With a population of 20 000, Varkaus has around 1500 residents with foreign background. The proportion of foreign-language speakers is thus ~ 8%. People move to Varkaus for work or study, as refugees or for family reasons. The city is home to the Kotokunta Reception Centre.

Health and social care services for immigrants are provided by the Wellbeing services county of North Savo.