Government promotes integration and transition to municipalities
The Government aims to find a place for those who have been granted a residence permit more swiftly in the municipalities, in education and in employment. The purpose is to make integration more flexible and efficient. The Government published its action plan on integration on 3 May 2016.
It consists of six sets of measures to better promote integration. Successful integration benefits the whole of society and a well-managed and speedy transition into the municipalities in different parts of the country lends support to this objective. There are too few places in the municipalities at the moment, and the Government wants to step up the availability of places.
Integration makes it easier to become a member of the society and helps prevent social exclusion. To succeed in becoming well-integrated, the person must be motivated, proactive and act responsibly. Integration services will be revamped while also making sure that there are no privileged services that infringe the principles of equality and parity.
More flexible integration services and educational paths into shape
The Government will accelerate the transition of those who have been granted a residence permit into the municipalities and into integration services. One of the objectives is to make sure that the initial assessment is completed within a fortnight after a residence permit has been granted. The drafting of the initial assessments will be started already in the reception centres.
The Government will expedite employment, entrepreneurship and education and training for those who have been granted a residence permit. Where necessary, the threshold for integration training and next-step training will be lowered. The recognition of prior learning will be enhanced and those with prior completed studies will be channelled into appropriate training that will complement these more effectively than before. Language learning will be integrated into other studies. Basic education for adults will be reorganised.
Integration training will be closely linked to working life and the needs of employers. Employability will be promoted by for example accelerated employment trials. Healthcare and social services will help safeguard the functional capacity and health of those with residence permits.
Multi-professional support for immigrant families and student welfare services help the process of learning. The specific needs of immigrants will be taken into account in teacher training. The participation of immigrants in recreational and civic activities will be increased.
This action plan was jointly prepared by a number of ministries. The action plan on integration together with the action plan on asylum policy adopted on 8 December 2015 form an integral programme package.
Inquiries:
Ms Sonja Hämäläinen, Project Manager, Ministry of Employment and the Economy, tel. +358 29 504 7112
Ms Kirsi Kangaspunta, Director, Ministry of Education and Culture, tel. +358 40,709 9295
Ms Viveca Arrhenius, Ministerial Counsellor for Social Affairs, tel. +358 29 516 3286
Jaana Nevalainen, Senior Specialist, Ministry of the Environment, tel. +358 400 985 966
Ms Katja Palonen, Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Finance, tel. +358 29 553 0322