City of Varkaus integration programme

The integration programme is a service pathway with measures to help you adapt to your new society. In Finland, the integration programme is also part of the Integration Act, and its aim is to help immigrants integrate within the timeframe required by law. The integration programme gives a clear picture of what measures are available to support integration.

The content of the integration programme:

1. assessment of skills and integration service needs
2. preparation of an integration plan
3. multilingual social orientation
4. integration training and language proficiency testing
5. other training or services that promote Finnish language skills, literacy, social and working life skills, employment or entrepreneurship

During the integration programme, we provide guidance and advice on services.

Background and legislation.

Assessment of skills and integration service needs

Competency and integration service needs assessment promotes the integration and inclusion of a person who has moved to Finland into Finnish society. It is drawn up for an immigrant whose first residence permit or right of residence has been registered up to three years ago, if he or she:

• is unemployed
• receives income support other than on a temporary basis
• is in receipt of international protection or is a member of his family
• is in receipt of home care allowance
• is a victim of trafficking in human beings
• arrived as an unaccompanied minor

The interview includes a discussion of literacy, language skills, consumer background and work experience, other skills and life situation. At the same time, we tell the client about Finnish or Swedish language learning, employment, education and other suitable services. If necessary, we will talk to an interpreter and the service is free of charge.

Integration plan

The integration plan supports the immigrant's integration as an equal member of society, especially in the early stages of integration, and the services included in the integration plan must form a package of services that promote the immigrant's integration. The integration plan includes measures and services that support the immigrant's chances of acquiring sufficient language skills and other skills needed for integration. The integration plan defines the period of integration, which should not exceed two years.

The plan will agree on language learning, health and well-being issues and how to increase social skills. It will also agree on issues to support employment or entrepreneurship. We will also guide the integration client towards a multilingual social orientation and integration training. If necessary, we will have a discussion with the help of an interpreter and the service is free of charge for the client.

Multilingual social orientation

Social orientation provides information in the client's own language about Finnish society and how our services work. The aim is that everyone should have equal opportunities to participate in society and use services, even if their mother tongue is not the dominant language. A certificate is awarded at the end of the training. The service is free of charge.

The target groups of the social orientation are:

• integration clients with a valid integration plan
• persons enjoying temporary protection
• persons moving to the municipality through an asylum procedure
• persons moving to the municipality of their own accord from a reception centre, or persons with refugee status who have been in the country for less than three years and move to the municipality from elsewhere in Finland
• persons who have been granted refugee status through family reunification
• quota refugees
• persons who have come through the assistance system for victims of trafficking in human beings

Integration training

Integration training is designed to learn more Finnish and develop further skills for work or further studies. In addition, the client is taught more civic skills for everyday life. Integration training includes a work placement period or other activities to support work and functional capacity.

As part of the integration training, an end-of-course language test is carried out to monitor the achievement of the linguistic objective of the training. The integration training provider will carry out an end-of-course language proficiency test in accordance with the Integration Act at the end of the last training module.

Other training or services that promote Finnish language skills, literacy, social and working life skills, employment or entrepreneurship

Varkaus also offers other training and services that promote immigrants' literacy, Finnish language skills, social and working life skills, employment and entrepreneurship.

Other activities promoting integration
The integration team organises welcome events, group information sessions and lectures for immigrant newcomers, providing information and guidance on housing, rights and obligations and services in the area. Group activities are also organised in cooperation with other actors promoting integration.

Learn Finnish language lessons
The integration team organises "Learn Finnish" language lessons for immigrants every Thursday from 15-16 at the Varkaus Family Centre, Kauppakatu 32.

Career guidance for immigrants 
A service in Russian or Finnish for clients who need help with job application documents. The service also includes language support for initial contract issues, orientation and later feedback interviews.

Entrepreneurship guidance and counselling
Free and confidential coaching and advice on entrepreneurship, business planning, business start-up and light entrepreneurship Uusyrityskeskus Wäläkky Home - Wäläkky Keski-Savon Uusyrityskeskus ry

Trainings in liberal adult education 
In Varkaus, Soisaloopisto provides literacy training and language training for senior citizens to meet the needs of integration services. The selection includes Finnish language courses for different skill levels, handicrafts, music and dance.

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