Barriers and avenues to labour market integration of Nepalese immigrants with international degree qualifications from Finnish higher education institutions in Finland

Abstract

The research explores the obstacles confronted by the Nepalese immigrants with international degree qualifications from Finnish higher education institutions into the Finnish labour market and ways to overcome the obstacles or to facilitate their integration into the Finnish labour market. The research findings can be useful for the policy makers and concerned authorities to formulate policies and measures to facilitate integration of international degree students and graduates from the Nepalese nationality background into the Finnish labour market. They may also be useful for the community of international students and graduates from immigrant backgrounds looking to get integrated into the Finnish labour market.

Qualitative research methods were used for the research. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were applied to select the interviewee participants. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect the data. Synchronous method of technologically mediated interviews was conducted via zoom. Audio-recorded individual interviews were conducted. Implied consents were obtained for the interviews. Thematic analysis with inductive, semantic and essentialist/ realist epistemology were used for the research.

In conclusion, the barriers confronted by the Nepalese international degree graduates into the Finnish labour market comprise personal and institutional barriers. Personal barriers include lack of Finnish language skill, lack of social networks/ professional connections, lack of work experience/ training/ practical knowledge, lack of confidence at workplace or to apply for field related jobs and lack of motivation to apply for field related works or dissatisfaction towards out-of-field works. Institutional barriers include lack of job opportunities, discrimination, lack of information flow and inaccessibility to integration/ training programmes. Likewise, the avenues to their labour market integration comprise personal and institutional avenues. Personal avenues include focusing on the Finnish language from the beginning and keeping trying to find field related jobs. Institutional avenues include relaxing Finnish language requirements, improving Finnish language teaching at schools/ universities, providing Finnish language course at workplace, providing internship opportunities, positive attitude towards immigrants, coaching employers/ companies about diversity and providing support programmes.