Individual coaching led Ville to environmental studies

Ville Sairanen worked at a paper factory for fifteen years. However, a career in the paper industry did not take off and the man remained unemployed. 
After being unemployed for a year, Sairanen was guided by the employment services and entered the Long-term unemployed to employed project aimed at men, and thereby applied for the start of a new career.

The city of Imatra employs the long-term unemployed, especially for environmental maintenance work. These jobs also became familiar to Ville Sairas when he started in the city in August 2019.

- I wanted to do outdoor work, clearing with a clearing saw, cleaning, trimming intersection areas, clearing the pond, snow removal, sandblasting, says Sairanen.
At the same time, personal coaching started, which is central to the Long-term unemployed to employed project.

- Every couple of weeks I went to talk. We went through my work history and what visions we have for the future, and looked at these educational opportunities. I went through my own situation, I was able to see where there is interest and willingness to go.

Sairanen got the support he needed from the coach.

- What you want from the future comes from your own thoughts. Of course, the trainer gives tips for that. When someone else guides, it opens up more opportunities and ideas, says Sairanen.

New skills were also acquired during the working vacation.

- I have learned how to use machines, how to use a clearing saw and things like this. It's all about learning what you do.

Official evidence of Sairanen's learning is the occupational safety card, fire work card, Road Safety 1 and the completion of an emergency first aid course. 
The most important result of the Long-term unemployed to employment project is getting to the start of a new career path. 

- When you are such a nature person, a new educational opportunity opens up, a basic degree in nature and the environment. I applied to school there and happened to get in.
The three-year training, which is carried out at Sampo's Lappeenranta location and as a multi-modal study, qualifies for jobs in, for example, environmental consulting, environmental management, waste management or the tourism industry.

Project manager Tiia Aromaa says that the idea of ​​the Long-term unemployed to employed project is to offer individual coaching to those looking for their own career path.

- The participants all have very different backgrounds. We want to consider that individual. In the initial phase, a development and competence survey is made, which is used as an aid when working with the person, in order to make his wishes and needs visible. Card training may be important for some, individual coaching for others. For some, the tasks we have are important. They might learn a lot that way. We want to look at things on an individual level, says Aromaa.

The project develops an operating model in which a person working on wage support can complete parts of a vocational education degree alongside their work.

- At the moment, eight people have joined the process of completing partial degrees. 

Part of the degree can be added to the degree in most Finnish vocational schools.

The long-term unemployed to employed project will continue until the end of 2020.

More information, project manager Tiia Aromaa  tiia. aromaimatra.fi (tiia[dot]aromaa[at]imatra[dot]fi), tel. 040 526 0846