12 September 2024
In September, Startup Refugees is launching its mentoring program together with Tietoevry and Netlight, with the goal of supporting refugees and other migrants in finding employment in the IT sector.
This popular mentoring program is being organized for the eighth time. 62 percent of participants from recent years have found employment in their field either during the mentoring program or within six months after it.
Refugees and migrants are international professionals. However, many need information about the job market in their field and support in networking to find their professional place in Finland. The 10-week mentoring program consists of one-on-one meetings between the mentor and the mentee, as well as group gatherings with all participants.
Around 20 professionals will be selected for the mentoring program, and each will be paired with a personal mentor from Tietoevry or Netlight. Mentoring pairs are chosen based on expertise and professional interests. The program includes professionals from ICT, sales, marketing, and administration. This year's mentees come from countries such as Ukraine, Turkey, Vietnam, India, and Ethiopia.
“The mentoring program is an excellent way to provide personalized guidance for job searching and building important networks. So far, 76 people have participated in the program, with around 60% finding employment shortly after the mentoring program,” says Arkan Aal-Owayef, the Skills Development Manager at Startup Refugees.
The mentoring program is part of the responsibility work efforts of Tietoevry and Netlight. The collaboration with Startup Refugees has been well received by employees due to its tangible outcomes. Both the mentee and mentor gain new insights and expand their perspectives through mentoring.
“Netlight’s goal is to bring about positive change in our society by building digital services. Working with Startup Refugees is a natural way to support third-sector actors as part of a more functional future society. Participating in the mentoring program is rewarding: Netlight’s mentors get the opportunity to support international participants in finding employment. The experience helps us grow both as mentors and as contributors to a more equitable workplace and society.” says Katri Junna, CEO of Netlight Consulting.
“We have been working long-term to strengthen digital equality, and our collaboration with Startup Refugees, which began in 2018, is a meaningful part of that effort. Our employees have once again enthusiastically joined as mentors for the fifth time in this joint mentoring program to support migrants in building their professional life in Finland. The technology sector has a demand for skilled professionals, and diverse work communities are a strength in this and many other fields,” says Jonna Peltola, Communications Director at Tietoevry.
For Startup Refugees, cooperation with companies is an important part of the network's operations.
“The success of the mentoring program has always been driven by excellent, committed partners and skilled, motivated clients. Our goal is to build an inclusive and diverse working life in Finland. Mentoring is one of the many ways we are working to make that goal a reality,” says Aicha Manai, CEO of Startup Refugees.
Media Inquiries:
Startup Refugees, Sabrin Falhi, Communications & Brand Manager, sabrin@startuprefugees.com, tel. +358 44 238 2564
Startup Refugees supports refugees, asylum seekers, and other migrants in employment, skills development and entrepreneurship. Since its founding in 2015, the network has facilitated over 1,800 jobs, trained more than 1,100 aspiring entrepreneurs, and assessed the skills of over 10,000 immigrants.
Netlight Consulting, Julius Hurri, Talent Manager, julius.hurri@netlight.com, tel. +358 40 510 0107
Netlight is a leading digital consultant company. Since 1999, we have been helping leading companies to succeed in digital transformation and to digitalize business. Our more than 2000 consultants provide a full range of services from strategy to technology. Netlight has been awarded several times for profitable growth and management, as a top employer, and for our engagement in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Located in Stockholm, Oslo, Helsinki, Copenhagen, Munich, Hamburg, Berlin, Frankfurt, Zurich, Cologne, and Amsterdam. Co-creating the future today, since 1999.
Tietoevry, Tietoevry Communications, news@tietoevry.com, tel. +358 40 570 4072
Tietoevry supports societal development through responsible technology. We are a leading technology company with a long history in the Nordics and global capabilities. Guided by our values – openness, trust, and diversity – we build a digital future with our customers where businesses, societies, and humanity thrive.
Our 24,000 specialists in cloud technology, data, and software serve thousands of private and public sector customers in around 90 countries worldwide. Tietoevry’s annual revenue is approximately 3 billion euros, and the company’s shares are listed on NASDAQ in Helsinki and Stockholm, as well as Oslo Børs.