(http://yle.fi/ecepic/archive/00381/hoitaja_sairaanhoit_381238b.jpg)
The weak condition of some of the economies of southern Europe is spurring many professionals to seek jobs in Finland. For example, around 2,300 qualified Spanish nurses have expressed interest in moving to the country to work. The response to a "Work in Western Finland" project has surprised its coordinators.
The Work In Western Finland project is sponsored by the Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment in the province of Satakunta. It has a special interest in recruiting professionals including welders and metalworkers, nurses, doctors, and trained agricultural industry sector workers from Bulgaria, Estonia, Poland, Romania or any other EU country for employment in the region of Satakunta, in western Finland.
The aim of the project is to promote work-related immigration to prevent labour shortfalls due to Finland's ageing population and lack of professionals in certain fields.
The plan particularly facilitates the recruitment of employees in the fields of social and health care for work in basic services. Once professionals have gained language skills they can go on to work as accredited medical personnel.
The project helps the immigrants by offering Finnish language courses, interpreter services, information about leisure activities and help with issues such as residence permits, accommodation, taxation, the social security system, and employment contracts.
Since it started up in 2008, the Work In Western Finland project has channeled several hundred foreign employees into the region.
A similar project is underway in the region of Kymenlaakso in the south-east.
YLE