‘First, You Must Speak Good Finnish.’ Adult immigrants' Descriptions of the Actants Supporting and Hindering their Inclusion in Education and Work in Finland

Abstract

Adult immigrants are persistently striving for a place in the Finnish labor market and society, although they have limited language skills and recognition of their earlier competencies is poor. This chapter reports on the need to broaden the understanding of competence and vocational qualification to ensure equal opportunities for adult immigrants to be part of Finnish vocational education and training, labor market, and society. The study argues that a more nuanced recognition of adult immigrants’ prior learning and skills, special educational needs, and collaboration between stakeholders is needed to support immigrants’ inclusion in VET, work, and society. Education and work are becoming increasingly multicultural in many countries, indicating a need for better management of diversity in companies and a more solid but flexible education system.