Article categories: News
Vaasa invests in summer jobs for young people – feedback again positive
Published: 2.9.2024
The City of Vaasa is one of the largest employers in the region, offering summer jobs to hundreds of young people and students aged 14–26 every year. Jobs and preparatory camps are also offered to young people with special needs. The annual feedback from summer workers has been positive.
This year, summer workers gave their workplace a school grade of 9 on a scale from 4 to 10. The respondents particularly praised the attitude of supervisors and colleagues towards summer workers, giving it a score of 4.7 (on a scale from 1 to 5). In addition, the respondents felt that the summer job met their expectations and was rewarding (4.4), and the workplace had a good atmosphere (4.4). They were also satisfied with the working conditions, tools, and onboarding (4.0). The lowest score was given to pay (3.4).
Recruitment Manager Anne Lindell is very pleased that the summer workers had a positive experience with the work community.
– The praise for supervisors and colleagues is a particularly welcome indicator of an open and supportive working atmosphere. Based on the feedback we receive, we continuously strive to improve our activities to ensure we provide young people with valuable learning experiences and a strong foundation for the future, says Lindell.
Camps and jobs for young people with special needs
This summer, for the second time, the City of Vaasa organised two-week camps for young people who need special support in finding a job. In addition to the camps, jobs were provided for 38 young people with disabilities and special needs, who need more supportive guidance in their work. Tasks were tailored to suit the needs of each young person with special needs. Several work coaches were hired both to run the camps and to provide guidance to young people with special needs.
– We employed a total of 115 young people. Such activities are unique even on a national level, says Helena Nurmikoski, Employment Officer.
All the camps were organised in cooperation with partner networks, including the city’s Youth Services, Alma Adult Education Centre, Vamia, Vaasa University of Applied Sciences VAMK, Ehjä ry and Mielle ry.
In total, the city employed 377 summer workers in 55 different jobs in 2024, the most popular jobs being kindergarten assistant and assistant park maintenance worker. Most of the jobs were in kindergartens, parks and other green spaces, libraries, and museums.
The next application period for summer jobs with the city will begin in January 2025.