“In construction slang, rammaus means a change during construction. We want to invite young people to carry out the actual work of building their own neighbourhoods and showcase their skills," says Head of Development Riikka Lahdensuo from the City of Helsinki.
The City will help young construction professionals to find employment by using an employment condition in the infrastructure contracts it commissions. Contractors will be required to hire construction sector jobseekers aged between 18 and 30 to build sports facilities and parks, foe example.
“The Urban Environment Division will be launching a dozen infrastructure projects in the autumn, and we hope to attract young professionals to work for them,” says Project Director Mikko Suikki.
Work experience for lower secondary school pupils, as well
The second target group is schoolchildren seeking their first work experience. Helsinki is working with the Children and Youth Foundation to increase work experience learning period, or TET period, opportunities for pupils in grades eight and nine.
A series of TET events has been launched in schools in suburban regeneration areas, informing ninth-graders about local jobs and career paths starting with TET work experience learning periods. The first TET event was held at Malmi Comprehensive School on 14 August.
“The next events will take place at Vesala Comprehensive School at the end of August and at Kannelmäki Comprehensive School at the end of September. The events will reach hundreds of lower secondary school pupils," says Pedagogical Specialist Antti Värtö.
TET periods in the urban development and construction sectors are planned for autumn 2025. The Children and Youth Foundation is arranging a RAKSA-TET week with partners in the construction sector, involving 50 young people this autumn.
At the same time, the City of Helsinki is looking for young people to participate in a TET period in the Detailed Planning Unit and the Urban Development and Housing Units. The objective is to pick young people’s brains e.g. on matters concerning the design of an online survey for young people in suburban regeneration areas and the organisation of neighbourhood events. At the same time, young people will get a behind-the-scenes look at urban planning and construction and see how experts in several fields work. The work experience learning periods are open on the national tet.fi platform.
Helsinki invites companies to open career paths for young people
The City of Helsinki invites business and industry representatives and companies to join in opening up career paths for young people. By employing young people, companies will be doing their part for corporate responsibility locally and strengthening young people's faith in the future.
“Cooperation can strengthen the employment prospects of young people, support local pride and reduce the risk of social exclusion,” says Head of Development Lahdensuo.
