There are around 78,000 businesses in Helsinki, of which the vast majority, around 95%, are micro and small businesses, i.e. employing fewer than 10 people. For many companies, the City of Helsinki's employer services have remained distant. Helsinki wants to change this.
Over the next two years, the city will talk to at least 25,000 businesses and identify their service needs. The aim is to build a more direct link between employment services and companies, and lead businesses to the right services at the right time.
Businesses will be able to find out more about the wide range of City services available to them, and specialists will be there to help and guide them if necessary. The right services, at the right time, can impact the growth potential of companies, thus strengthening their ability to recruit.
Partnership with employers
Many micro and small businesses are looking for growth, but it is difficult to find talent and recruitment is risky.
“Especially for small businesses, the recruitment process itself can be overwhelming and require too many resources. Businesses do not always know where to find the exact expertise they need,” says Project Manager Hanne Suomalainen.
Boosting employment is an important part of the project, but above all it is about Helsinki understanding businesses better and acting as a partner.
“I think it is important that every small business feels valuable and important to Helsinki," Suomalainen says.
The work will be carried out in 2026 and 2027 in the context of the Työtä Stadiin (Helsinki for jobs) project in cooperation with Business Helsinki, Helsingin Yrittäjät – Regional Organisation of Enterprises in Helsinki and the Micro and Solo Entrepreneurs Association (MYRY). The project includes outreach to businesses, needs mapping and strengthening recruitment abilities as well as communications and events, such as information sessions and networking events.
Helsinki Employment Services promotes the employment of Helsinki residents, supports companies with the availability of labour and improves the City's employment rate. The services will focus on reducing long-term unemployment, developing the skills of job seekers and creating smooth pathways to work. The aim is also to facilitate matching between job seekers and employers through innovative and customer-oriented solutions.
