Helsinki Trainee programme

Utilise your full potential and become a future expert in the Helsinki Trainee programme!

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Helsinki Trainee programme

Hey there, you who are about to complete your studies or have recently graduated! Come seize a unique opportunity to work in the largest organisation in Finland and utilise your full potential to shine as a future expert in your field! On this page, you can find useful information about the groundbreaking Helsinki Trainee programme and applying for a position with us. 

The Helsinki Trainee programme opens doors to the diverse duties and structures of our city. Your objective with us will be simple: to create high-quality services for residents and facilitate good life in Helsinki. As a Helsinki Trainee, you will have the privilege of being part of an innovative team that will support you in projects that match your passions. We are not looking for a seasoned master; what we want is courage, curiosity and an active approach. The programme will open the doors to a world of knowledge, where you can learn, grow and shine with your own contribution. We also want to build networks with you and open doors to new opportunities within the City.  

Are you ready to join the Helsinki Trainee team? The next application period will start in October 2024.

Read more below and start your journey towards the career of your dreams!

In the spring of 2024, Helsinki Trainees will work in areas such as communications, legal services and human resources, in recruitment and employer image duties.

You can learn more about the duties of previous trainees on the @helsinkirekry(Link leads to external service) Instagram page.

Duration and salary of the trainee period

Helsinki Trainees have a six-month fixed-term employment relationship, either from February to the beginning of August or from August to the beginning of February. Every trainee will have the same monthly salary €2,204. 

Applying

Application periods are held every six months, in May and October.

To promote equality and non-discrimination, the City of Helsinki encourages anonymous recruitment processes, and the recruitment of trainees will also be carried out anonymously. The aim of anonymous recruitment is to focus solely on the applicant’s professional competence and work experience.

The first interview round will be carried out as video interviews, after which we will invite applicants to personal interviews.

For whom?

You are studying for a suitable higher education degree (e.g. a master’s degree or a university of applied sciences degree) and are nearing the completion of your studies or have graduated less than a year ago. You are fluent in spoken and written Finnish.

Why apply for a position with us?

We will provide you with a front-row seat in Finland’s largest employer organisation, in which you will have extensive opportunities to develop your know-how, learn and create a career. We also want to support your balance between work and leisure time. The City of Helsinki is a responsible employer that wants to promote equality and non-discrimination.

In the words of former trainees...

Pihla hymyilee pyöräretkellä.

Name
Pihla

Title
Planning officer
Description
"The trainee team was awesome and we’ve been keeping in touch even after the end of the trainee period. My trainee period was continued with a two-year fixed-term position in very interesting duties with plenty of responsibility. I’ve learned an enormous amount of new things."
Aino valokuvaa Fallkullan eläintilan vuohia.

Name
Aino

Title
Consultant
Description
“In the application phase, you shouldn’t hesitate to also talk about skills you don’t have yet, as well as themes that you’d like to learn about. You don’t have to know everything, as the purpose of the period is to learn new things. The learning takes place primarily in everyday work, but trainees should also take advantage of the extensive staff training opportunities provided.”
Siiri hymyilee ilmapallojen keskellä.

Name
Siiri

Title
Planning officer
Description
“It was great to get to challenge my know-how and see that my efforts were relied upon. The trainee period is managed consistently, and I never felt like I was forgotten. After the trainee period, I was first hired for a four-month fixed-term job and then for a year-long fixed-term job.”
Topias hymyilee.

Name
Topias

Title
Recruitment consultant
Description
“I got to learn and develop my skills really diversely, and it was great to see that my wishes and development goals were taken into consideration when planning my work basket. I received a fixed-term employment relationship right after the trainee period.”
Outi on rannalla.

Name
Outi

Title
Planning officer
Description
“My trainee period included one major project: the organisation of a summer recruitment event for young people. Organising the event gave me opportunities to network, challenge myself and obtain diverse know-how. The period also opened an opportunity for me to work at Occupational Health Helsinki as a communications planner.”
Antti hymyilee ja katsoo kameraan.

Name
Antti

Title
HR trainee
Description
“For me, the most memorable thing about the trainee period was the warm reception and good team spirit at my unit. I was given quite a bit of liberty in terms of forming my job description, which was nice.”