What is integration training?

Integration training is about a year's training for recent immigrants to Finland. Its main contents are learning Finnish/Swedish and social and working life skills. Career guidance and internships are also part of the training. The aim is to support the student's employment and transition to further studies.

Integration training | Finnish National Agency for Education

You can read a short description on integration training in different languages (Russian, Arabic, Turkish, Persian, Thai) on the Finnish National Agency for Education website.

The new Integration Act

The new Integration Act entered into force on 1 January 2025. 

The reform increases the municipal responsibility for promoting integration. Integration services can be provided by the municipality itself or in collaboration with other municipalities.

Services promoting integration are organized as part of the new integration programme. Integration training and  a final examination of Finnish or Swedish proficiency are included in the integration programme.

An assessment of service needs related to integration and skills, an integration plan, multilingual civic orientation, working life training as well as guidance and counselling are also part of the new integration programme.

You can find out more about your municipality's integration programme on its website.

Integration services

There are various services in Finland that help you integrate, find employment and learn the local language.   

If you are unemployed 

If you are unemployed, you should register as an unemployed jobseeker to be eligible for integration services. Such services include assessing which services you need for skills and integration, integration plan and integration training. Your family members may also be entitled to these services if they move to Finland with you.  

In the assessment of your need for skills and integration services, an authority will assess things like your education, work experience and language proficiency as well as your working capacity and functional capacity.  

After the assessment, the authority will draw up an integration plan with you.  

The plan may include studying Finnish or Swedish or other studies or work placement. An integration plan is usually made for a maximum of three years. In some specific cases one can be made for five years.  

Once an integration plan has been drawn up, you can receive integration training. Integration training is organised by various educational institutions (e.g. folk high schools and educational institutions providing vocational adult education). Integration training usually involves studying Finnish or Swedish. The training also involves learning about Finnish society, culture and employment. It may also include the recognition of previously acquired learning and qualification as well as professional planning and career guidance. Integration training is free of charge.  

Integration training in Swedish is organised in Uusimaa, Southwest Finland and Swedish-speaking Ostrobothnia.  

You can receive unemployment benefit or social assistance during the integration plan, depending on how long you have lived in Finland. The TE Office, Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela) or your municipality will investigate whether you are entitled to unemployment benefit or social assistance.  

If you are an employee

If you have a job, it is sometimes possible for your employer to help you integrate. For example, the employer can find or organise a Finnish or Swedish language course for you.   

If you are about to become unemployed

You can also register as a jobseeker if you are at risk of unemployment or about to become unemployed.