Interested in European Solidarity Corps volunteering in Finland? Would you like to begin your experience already soon? Good news: due to a cancellation, Aitoo Vocational College is now looking for a volunteer for a period that begins already 2nd October 2023!
UPDATE: The position has been filled, we warmly thank all the applicants!
Volunteering period: 2.10.2023–30.6.2024 (9 kk)
Number of volunteers: 1 (Please note that due to the tight schedule, this position is only for candidates who don’t need a residence permit to Finland – citizens of EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.)
Application deadline: Apply as soon as possible! The position will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate is found.
Aitoo Vocational College (Aitoon koulutuskeskus) is a vocational institution that offers education for students with special needs. The students need special support in learning and studying regularly due to learning difficulties, disabilities, illness, or other reasons. We offer education and training for students with the most severe disabilities or chronic illnesses.
The fields of study are household and cleaning services, janitorial services, catering services, and crafts and design. We also offer pre-vocational programmes, such as preparatory instruction and guidance for those who do not yet have a clear idea of their career choice.
We aim at ensuring education, training for and empowerment of young people with special needs. We want to provide together with different actors, such as social and health care services, for young people with the best possible tools to work and manage their lives after their studies.
Our main campus is located in Aitoo, Pälkäne, and we have a smaller teaching unit in Tampere. The total amount of students is 120. The students’ age varies from 16 to 20+ years. The students live on the school premises during the study week. We employ over 70 people.
Activity topics
Inclusion of marginalized young people, disabilities, European identity, citizenship and values
Location
Our main campus is located in the countryside in Aitoo, Pälkäne. It’s situated approximately 40 kilometers southeast from the city of Tampere. Pälkäne is a small country place with 6 800 inhabitants and it consists of smaller villages. It is important that the volunteer is motivated to live in the countryside and enjoys having peaceful nature around.
Volunteer’s role and tasks
The volunteer will assist the students and the staff at the vocational college and at the student dormitory in Aitoo. The tasks will include assisting in guiding the students and spending time, discussing, and having cultural exchange with them. The volunteer will also facilitate activities, such as hobbies and games, and assist the students in moving around. The tasks will be planned more in detail based on the interests and skills of the volunteer.
At Aitoo Vocational College, the volunteer will get a chance to take part in meaningful volunteering among students who need additional support and build international contacts at the grass root level. For the students, the interaction with the volunteer will offer a good way to gain international know-how. These tasks will support participation, diversity, and normalisation – both from the point of view of the volunteer and the host organisation.
Volunteer’s profile
We hope that the volunteer is interested in working with young people (with special needs). The volunteer needs to have an open-minded attitude towards differences and be flexible, towards changes in the planned daily routines, for example. When selecting the volunteer, priority will be given to candidates with fewer opportunities. The currently open position is only for candidates who don’t need a residence permit to Finland – citizens of EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
Accommodation, food, and transportation
The volunteer will live in their own room in the main building of the main campus. The volunteer will be offered the daily meals in the student restaurant of the campus. From the campus, there are bus connections to the nearby cities.
Accessibility
The working spaces and sanitary facilities of the campus are accessible for people with physical disabilities, but we cannot necessarily organise accommodation that is suitable for people with physical disabilities. You are welcome to ask for further information through Maailmanaihto – ICYE Finland: esc@maailmanvaihto.fi.
Furthe information and application instructions
> General program information of the European Solidarity Corps
> Application instructions and the application form
On the page of the application instructions, you can also download the application form. Send us your application as soon as possible – we will fill in the position as soon as a suitable candidate is found!