Where to find Talent
Recruitment support
Recruitment can be a time-consuming process for employers, and the range of available support services is not always easy to navigate. When recruiting international talent, the process often becomes even more complex. To support employers, we have compiled a selection of research findings, recruitment channels, guides and practical resources to help make international recruitment more effective and accessible.
International recruitment service pathway in North Savo
The International Recruitment Service Pathway Study in North Savo examines the different stages of international recruitment, the services available to employers, and the key challenges encountered throughout the process. The study shows that international recruitment has become an established practice for many employers in the region, although levels of experience, preparedness, and organisational practices vary considerably between companies. International professionals and students already living in Finland were identified as an important recruitment channel for regional employers.
A key finding of the study is that while a wide range of services supporting international recruitment exists, employers often perceive the service landscape as fragmented and difficult to navigate. Particular development needs relate to settlement support, administrative and permit processes, and coordination between different service providers. The report also highlights the importance of successful integration of employees and their families, as settlement and everyday life play a crucial role in long-term retention and regional attractiveness.
Read the article and explore the report. (2026)
The benefits of international recruitment
SMEs that have already hired foreign employees report a wide range of concrete benefits. Thanks to these recruitments, companies have been able to continue their operations, expand, access rare expertise, and serve new customer segments – both in Finland and abroad. For many businesses in smaller towns, international recruitment has been a lifeline. Work communities have also benefited. Many companies report improved workplace atmosphere, streamlined processes, and stronger problem-solving capacity.
Read more and explore research results and recommendations (2025): International recruitment pays off – SMEs emphasize courage, practicality and community
Support services and collaboration are key to successful recruitment
The report emphasizes the importance of support services in reaching skilled labor. Services provided by regional employment areas – such as Kuopio’s Työnavigaattori, recruitment and internationalization services from ELY Centers, and platforms like Opiskelijatoihin.fi and Aarresaari – assist businesses in finding the right talent. Recruitment events, internships, apprenticeships, and project-based collaboration offer concrete ways to address labor availability challenges.
Read more: Training and support services strengthen access to skilled labor in North Savo and Read the full report (in Finnish)
Nopeat linkit yrityksille / työnantajille:
- Kielibuusti
- Eures
- Migri
- Aluehallintovirasto (AVI)
- Digi- ja väestötietovirasto (DVV)
- Työ- ja elinkeinoministeriö (TEM)
Public employment services in the employment areas
- Job Navigator / Kuopio Employment Area services (Kuopio, Kaavi, Keitele, Lapinlahti, Rautalampi, Rautavaara, Siilinjärvi, Suonenjoki, Tervo, Tuusniemi, and Vesanto)
- Ylä-Savo Employment Area services (Iisalmi, Pielavesi, Kiuruvesi, Vieremä, Sonkajärvi)
- Keski-Savo Employment Area services (Varkaus, Leppävirta, Pieksämäki, Joroinen)
Municipal Workforce Services
Additional services such as wage subsidies/summer job support, employment through procurement, and immigrant employment.
- Kuopio employment services for employers
- Iisalmi employment services for employers
- SawoGrow region employment services for employers (Suonenjoki, Rautalampi, Tervo, Vesanto, Pielavesi, and Keitele)
Guides and other materials (some of them in Finnnish)
- Guide to international recruitments
- Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) application guide
- Guide to working in Finland as a foreign employee (available in 18 languages)
- Multilingual materials on Finnish society for newcomers
- Working Life in Finland (available in 24 languages)
- Working in Finland – Information for newcomers (available in 13 languages)
- AMOS resource bank – including sector-specific induction and onboarding materials for employees
- Guide for employees moving to Finland for work (available in Finnish, English and Swedish)
- Welcome to Finland guide
- International recruitment service pathway for employers – a checklist for different stages of the recruitment process
Recruitment Assistance
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As an employer, you can access workforce services through the Job Navigator. We find solutions for businesses’ various workforce and transition needs, offer free recruitment services, and organize recruitment events in the Kuopio employment area.
Starting from January 1, 2025, the TE services will transition from the state to municipalities. The Kuopio employment area includes Kaavi, Keitele, Kuopio, Lapinlahti, Rautalampi, Rautavaara, Siilinjärvi, Suonenjoki, Tervo, Tuusniemi, and Vesanto. The City of Kuopio is the responsible municipality for organizing employment services.
The following services are available:
- Studio Navigator
- Recruitment services for employers
- International recruitment
- Organizing work trials at the workplace
- Wage subsidy for employee salary costs
- Joint procurement and Recruitment Training
- Counseling and support in transition and dismissal situations
- Support for organizing working conditions
- Employment support for those over 55 years old
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International House Kuopio helps local businesses with the availability of skilled workforce. We assist companies in finding suitable employees both in Finland and abroad. We also help find interns from English-language training programs in local universities.
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Through Work in Finland’s employer counseling, companies and employers receive information and guidance on recruiting international talent, salary and permit processes, and issues related to settling in Finland. Counseling is available by phone and email.
The free Work in Finland employer counseling serves employers nationwide, Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 0295 016 770 or send an email to wif.neuvonta@keha-keskus.fi
Work in Finland offers many services for international recruitment. See all services.
You can also post job vacancies in the Jobs in Finland service provided by Business Finland. (How do I add my company’s job vacancies to jobs.workingfinland.fi?)
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EURES (European Employment Services) is a comprehensive European cooperation network and a high-quality public service that brings employees and employers together in all of Europe. EURES helps with recruitment and promotes labor mobility within the EU/EEA area and Switzerland. Read more www.eures.fi
Follow the broadcasts of Studio Navigator (formerly TE-live) at: studionavigaattori.fi
The EURES portal is a recruitment tool with a European job search portal and CV bank. On the EURES portal, you can post open jobs and browse job seekers’ resumes. You will also find general information about international recruitment, available to both employers and job seekers.
EURES Experts
- Know European labor markets and help find the right destination country in Europe and initiate recruitment.
- Can assist with job advertisement writing.
- Support participation in job fairs and promote the company’s open positions.
- Organize virtual recruitment fairs.
- Can make preliminary selections of suitable candidates for employers and search for talent in the EURES portal.
- Advise foreign workers on matters related to relocation and adapting to Finnish work life.
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Puijola’s employment and coaching services help employers with the onboarding of foreign-language employees and in finding skilled talent among them. Read more: https://www.puijola.net/en/coaching-services/
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Opiskelijatöihin.fi is a student job service operating in Northern Savo.
Students can submit their job-seeking profiles for employers to view and search for part-time, internship, and thesis opportunities posted by employers.
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Savon ammattiopisto (Sakky) offers services and materials to companies to promote the employment of international talent. Sakky aims to smooth the encounter between immigrants and employers in the labor market. In addition to the services (such as telephone interpreting and training) offered by Sakky, materials for businesses can be found on the website.
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Post job and internship vacancies for students at Finnish universities!
JobTeaser is a job and internship placement service used by the following Finnish universities: University of Helsinki, University of Tampere, University of Turku, University of Jyväskylä, University of Eastern Finland, University of Vaasa, University of Oulu, University of Lapland, LUT University, Aalto University, Hanken School of Economics, and Åbo Akademi.
With JobTeaser, you can reach all students and recent graduates from Finnish universities with a single job posting. Posting is free for employers. Read more about the service.
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The Talent Hub Eastern Finland project helps employers recognize the potential of international students and find skilled workers. The project offers support and practical tools for recruiting, onboarding, language learning at the workplace, and adapting to Finnish work culture. The goal is to lower the threshold for hiring international talent, making it a natural part of everyday operations in organizations. Read more about the project on the University of Eastern Finland website.
The Talent Hub Eastern Finland project period: 01.09.2023 – 31.08.2027.
See the employer pathway and services that Talent Hub offers.