Tredu has launched a responsible and sustainable commission-based education model that brings motivated and skilled international students to Finland without using government funding or taxpayers’ money. This innovative approach directly addresses regional labour shortages and supports business growth.
The last few months have been exciting times on four Tredu campuses. After the winter break, the Kangasala campus welcomed 18 Vietnamese and Filipino students who aim to complete vocational qualification in catering and restaurant services. Their teacher Jussi Rajala says there is a desperate shortage of workers in the sector.
– The students are extremely nice and motivated. It’s important to get skilled and hard-working people to fill the gap in the sector, i.e. people who are not afraid to work and always do their job to the best of their ability.
He says that learning Finnish is essential to facilitate everyday communication. For the time being, the group still speaks in English, but the students’ language skills are improving day by day.
A logistics pilot group has also launched on the Hepolamminkatu campus, which should ease the shortage of bus drivers. In Virrat and Tampere, practical nurses are being trained. The next step for Tredu is to expand training model to include the fields of education and guidance and disability work.
From the Philippines to Virrat
Suomenselän Sanomat wrote about the new international students who arrived at the Virrat campus in early March. The aim is for them to graduate in spring 2027 as practical nurses specialising in the care and rehabilitation of the elderly.
– There were 50 applicants for the program, from which this group was selected after interviews and an aptitude test, says Marko Tamminen, Tredu’s education planner.
Inkeri Viskari, who has long experience in both practical care work and as a teacher in the field, will oversee the training. According to her, the curriculum of the Filipino student nurses is the same as that of the Finnish students.
The students have a perfect command of English, the second official language of the Philippines. During the spring, they will have 10 hours of Finnish language lessons per week.
– The exams will be in Finnish. The level of language proficiency must be such that, for example, patient safety is not compromised, says Viskari.
She describes the newcomers as a lovely, humorous and chatty group. The students come from very different backgrounds, but almost all have worked in the care sector. Some also have a university education.
One of the students is Apple Bagawi, who chose Finland and Virrat over New Zealand.
– I learned about Finnish society and life here. The choice was based on the good level of education and health care. I have spent four years in Japan, learning the language and now I want to study Finnish. It will be challenging, but the language is beautiful.
Mark Carlo Guansing, a fellow student, has worked in the Philippines as a registered nurse and secondary school teacher. He is particularly enthusiastic about the local landscape in Virrat and plans to explore more of the area’s nature trails in the coming months.
– I was impressed, and from everything I learned, can already say that Finland is my second home. I really wanted to visit the happiest country in the world, says Mark.
Furnished With Care
The nursing students in Virrat are housed in a newly renovated apartment building on Koivulantie. The apartments were empty except for the heating, washrooms, oven and stove. The students were advised where to find cheap furniture and other household items.
The people of Virrat responded to the students’ call for help with a very rapid response. The local parish, together with private individuals, organised a collection to provide the apartments with linen, dishes and other necessities for everyday life.
Tredu is also grateful to Pirkan Opiskelija-asunnot Oy for their cooperation. POAS donated and delivered furniture to Virrat from 20 apartments whose lease expired in Härmälä. The furniture and other small items have come in handy now that the students’ families are arriving in Finland.
– We are extremely grateful for all the help we have received. At the moment, we have everything we need, say Apple and Mark.
A Win-Win Model
– This training model benefits all parties: students get quality education and job opportunities; companies find skilled workers and the region’s economy is strengthened. We are proud that we can offer this opportunity completely independently, without public funds, says Virpi Heinonen, Head of Education Export at Tredu.
Tredu works closely with reliable and responsible student recruitment partners in Vietnam and the Philippines. These partners identify potential applicants who go through a careful selection process. Applicants are interviewed and given relevant entrance exams to ensure they are ready for study and employment in Finland.
“It is crucial that the training of international talent is based on strong cooperation with working life.”
Prior to the arrival of students, there is an intensive dialogue between Tredu and employers in the region to identify labour needs and ensure interest in recruiting international talent. This enables students to have a smooth pathway to internships and employment after graduation.