We asked three foreigners living in Jyväskylä why they chose to make their home here.
1. What brought you to Jyväskylä? 2. What is Jyväskylä like as a place to live? 3. What is Jyväskylä like as a place to work or do business?
Iryna Stupina, from Ukraine, moved to Jyväskylä in 2002. She has worked at the Valtra tractor company since 2006. She is presently employed as an Export Assistant, covering the Baltic States, Central Europe and the Balkans.
1. "I moved to Finland for family reasons. In Ukraine I had a university degree and more than ten years of experience working in different companies. In Finland I wanted to continue my studies. I enrolled at JAMK University of Applied Sciences and I graduated from the International Business Programme in 2009. While I was studying I did a project about Ukraine for Valtra, and I got a job there." 2. "Jyväskylä is a beautiful city, with a lake almost in the centre. The city and its natural surroundings are very pleasant all year round. The most difficult time for me is late autumn, when it starts to get dark very early. There are large numbers of students in Jyväskylä, making it a young, multicultural city. There's always something happening." 3. "People coming from a different culture can find work in Jyväskylä, especially with international companies. This gives you a chance to use your language skills and knowledge of other business cultures."
Graham Burns is originally from Manchester in the UK. He joined the army at the age of 16 and served all over the world for the following 26 years. After leaving the army he studied in the UK and gained a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) qualification. He has lived in Jyväskylä since 2005.
1. "I was in Croatia and met my future wife, who's from Finland. In 2005 she got a job with JAMK University of Applied Sciences and we decided to move to Jyväskylä. From 2005 to 2009 I worked for companies in the Jyväskylä area, then I started my own business. My company offers English language teaching and training in intercultural communication." 2. "The people of this area are open, once you get to know them. Winter is not my favourite time of year, but otherwise Jyväskylä is a good place to live. The city is compact, with all the services you need close at hand, and without all the hustle and bustle you get in big cities." 3. "The Jyväskylä Region wants to develop international business, but companies need to widen their perspectives and not be afraid of losing control when they move into the international markets. Jyväskylä Region has a lot of experience and know-how in certain areas of business, such as high tech."
Alison Doolittle-Suokas is from Indiana in the USA and came to Jyväskylä in 1994 to study Art Education at the university. Having changed her plans a number of times, she graduated from JAMK University of Applied Sciences' International Business Programme in 2004. She has lived in Jyväskylä for a total of 15 years and in Helsinki for one year. At present she is Marketing Manager of Emfit Ltd, which is located in Vaajakoski near Jyväskylä.
1. "I felt as though I belonged here the people are great. I made a lot of friends and found work in the Jyväskylä area. Free education was a good bonus, but it wasn't the actual reason I stayed in Jyväskylä. Since finishing my studies I've done a lot of different kinds of work in and around Jyväskylä, from graphic designer to managing director." 2. "Jyväskylä is both big enough and small enough. All the services you need are here, and they are close by. Winter is really beautiful here." 3. "Some companies are really interested in employees with a foreign background. However, some are slightly afraid of them. With a bit of persistence I've always managed to find work for myself. Jyväskylä is a good location for international companies. Business premises are available at reasonable rates, it's a good place to live and work, and the flight time from Helsinki is quite short."
Finding a solution to the shortage of labour is currently a challenge for many Finnish cities and one set to become more difficult in the future. In many branches the competition for personnel is already intense.
Head of Recruiting Mia-Riitta Allik from the City of Jyväskylä says that the labour shortage can be seen in the Jyväskylä Region, too. Jyväskylä's situation is helped by the fact that the city is one of the favourite places to move to. In particular, those contemplating a move rate Jyväskylä highly as a residential environment and consider it a safe place in which to raise children.
"We're able to attract new people to Jyväskylä. Nowadays moving is not looked at simply from an employment perspective. In addition to job opportunities people weigh up all the other things on offer, for example, schools and day-care centres for their children as well as recreational facilities for adults and children alike," says Allik of Jyväskylä's strengths in the competition.
Involving international students in working life
Foreigners living in Finland as well as those moving to the country form an excellent resource for easing the labour shortage.
Immigrants in Jyväskylä have been offered access to education and training, while those who have obtained a degree in their home country can take extra studies in order to have their qualifications recognised in Finland.
International students following courses in the Jyväskylä Region constitute a huge opportunity. "First we have to establish how many students would be prepared to remain here after completing their studies. Many have said they would stay if there was a job available. Well, we have work available, so the word if can be safely forgotten," Allik underlines.
The City of Jyväskylä and JAMK University of Applied Sciences have intensified their cooperation in questions related to the employment of people with a foreign background. One target is to integrate international students more and more closely into Finnish working life already during their studies. 
words by tommi salo, photos by petteri kivimäki