New local service to start in Espoo: supporting young parents in entering working life and applying for education
As of February 2022, we will be providing targeted guidance to parents under the age of 30 who have young children and are in need of support in planning their working career or transitioning into education after family leave, for example.
This guidance includes one or more meetings with a job search expert or career counsellor. Issues that can be discussed during guidance include, for example, how to successfully combine your daily resources with job hunting or how to make a living while studying. The guidance can also focus on practical help, such as finding suitable jobs and writing job applications together.
“Many young parents experience uncertainty regarding their family’s future prospects. This is particularly pronounced if neither of the parents-to-be or parents of a young child are working or studying. We hope that as many young parents as possible are encouraged to contact us, even if their life situation does not currently give way to starting work or studying,” says Anu Kaasalainen, who helps young people enter the job market.
Guidance is already available during pregnancy for young parents-to-be who do not have a job or study place to return to after family leave. It is an excellent opportunity for exploring your options in advance together with a professional, making a plan for the future or adding to the skills needed in working life.
You can register for the service yourself
It is easy to register for the service – just send an email to Anu Kaasalainen. The Iso Omena maternity and child health clinic as well as the maternity and child health clinics in the Leppävaara area have joined the pilot project and provide information on the service on request. However, guidance is available to all young parents in Espoo regardless of where they live or which clinic’s services they use.
“Our clients also use the services of maternity and child health clinics and already receive excellent services there. By working together, we can ensure that needs and services meet,” says Kirsi Eskelinen, Network Manager.
The service goes where the clients are
Job search instructors and career counsellors go where their clients are: appointments can be arranged at the Iso Omena Service Centre or at the Leppävaara office, according to the client’s request, or they can be organised remotely. Guidance is available in Finnish or English, or you can participate with the help of an interpreter. The service is provided jointly by the City of Espoo and Omnia.
Appointment booking
Espoo aims to halve youth unemployment by the end of 2022. Through our #YouthToWork plan, we aim to shorten and prevent the unemployment periods of people under the age of 30 through three sets of measures: improving service guidance, developing basic skills and promoting working life opportunities.