Working group proposes a three-path model for integration of immigrants
The Pilot Act Working Group has drafted a proposal for promoting the integration of immigrants through cross-sectoral measures. The Working Group proposes that a three-path model for integration be tested with the help of the Pilot Act. The model is called Inclusion in Finland. The Pilot Act Working Group submitted its proposal to Astrid Thors, Minister of Migration and European Affairs, on 18 November 2009.
A decision on the drafting of the Pilot Act was made in the Government mid-term policy review in April. The pilot project will run for three years starting in 2010, and 6-10 municipalities and Employment and Economic Development Offices all over Finland will participate. The aim is to find new and innovative ways to promote integration.
The three-path model will include two different paths for adults. The first is designed for immigrants who want to get into working life, and the second for those who need special support. Both paths start with an assessment of the immigrant's needs and skills. An important part of both paths is a one-year initial integration training course with various contents for different target groups. The focus will lie on language training and information on society.
New flexible forms of learning can be tested for training immigrants who need special support, for example in day care centres or schools. The path designed for immigrants who want to get into working life is aimed at finding employment rapidly.
The third path will be designed to integrate children and young people in particular in schools and pre-school education centres. The aim is to ensure that young immigrants gain sufficient language skills and the same opportunity to receive further education as young native Finns. At the end of the training course, the immigrant will receive a certificate of completed training.
In the programme, focus is placed on customers and on the identification of their various needs. The programme also speeds up immigrants' access to measures, for example language courses. The programme seeks to provide municipalities with a new kind of authority in integration issues, and this way look for the best grass-root level models.
The objective is to submit a Government proposal to Parliament at the beginning of 2010.
The Ministry of Employment and the Economy gave a dissenting opinion to the Working Group proposal. It is attached to the report.
The Working Group proposal is available on the Ministry of the Interior's website: www.intermin.fi/julkaisu/332009.
For further information, please contact Permanent Secretary Ritva Viljanen, chair of the Working Group, tel. + 358 9160 42803, or Senior Adviser Sonja Hämäläinen, tel. + 358 9160 43409