To celebrate its 220 years of industrial history and the centenary of Finland's independence, Valmet is offering 100 young people an opportunity to develop their working life skills. The company will hire young people aged 16-29, who might, for example, have challenges in finding their paths in life or in working life skills, to complete practical work training and gain work experience in its Finnish units during the spring and autumn. 

"Valmet has strong roots in Finland, and the company has played a significant role in the development of the country throughout its long history. In this year of celebration, we want to remember the young people in Finland. We are offering an opportunity to practice working life skills especially to those young people who are still searching for their strengths and paths in life, and need support," said Pasi Laine, president and CEO of Valmet.

Valmet's program was planned and will be executed in cooperation with Children and Youth Foundation, Academic Work, and Work Pilots. The Children and Youth Foundation is responsible for finding the right young people for the program and for coaching their Valmet mentors. Academic Work provides the participants with coaching in job searches and study-related issues as part of the program. Work Pilots is handling some of the worker compensations.  

Ninety young people applied for the spring program, and the 46 who were chosen started thisweek (April 18, 2017), in the following Valmet units: Tampere, Pori, Ulvila, Järvenpää, Kajaani, and Espoo. Another group of young people will start practical work training at Valmet's Jyväskylä, Tampere, Raisio, and Järvenpää units in the autumn. 

Each of the participants gets a personal mentor from Valmet, responsible for creating a safe and inspiring environment for the trainees and providing meaningful assignments that help them practice their working life skills and build self-confidence.

"The transition to working life is a sensitive time of change in a young person's life. It may very well be an exciting—and even scary—moment for many. Therefore, positive working life experiences are extremely important at this stage, as they strengthen young people's self-esteem and relieve any fears they may have about working life. Now, Valmet's practical training program offers young people a unique opportunity to strengthen their working life skills in a safe environment in cooperation with their mentors," said Tuula Colliander from the Children and Youth Foundation.

"Youth employment is close to our heart and the basis of all operations at Academic Work. When Valmet approached us with this great idea, it was obvious that we would join them in this project. We want to support young people in finding their best path in life, whether that involves a job, training, or a hint of inspiration and energy to proceed in a new direction," said Laura Korpilauri from Academic Work. 

More information about Valmet's 220 years of industrial history is available online.