Aims of the DigiMESH project
The importance of networking for immigrants, especially for the highly educated ones, for career development and placement in the Finnish labour market, has been widely recognised, but there are few concrete tools for developing digital networking.
The digital leap brought by the COVID-19 pandemic has moved events largely to digital platforms, where networking and active participation are more challenging or there are simply fewer of them. Finnish networking practices and habits, including those in digital environments, are foreign to non-natives, and Finnish networks are also slower to open to immigrants due to inadequate language skills, prejudices or cultural differences. Strengthening the skills of highly educated immigrants to participate in various digital events and platforms will improve their opportunities to create working life connections and enter the Finnish labour market.
The project develops the know-how and skills of digital networking of both highly educated immigrants and the professionals guiding them. In addition, the project identifies and develops ways for companies to network with highly educated immigrants. The project consists of the following packages.
During the project, a model for digital networking will be developed for highly educated immigrants and higher education students with foreign backgrounds.
The model will be built into a master-level MOOC course, which is open to all. The MOOC course will serve higher education students and international talents who want to independently strengthen their networks both locally, nationally and globally. The course materials will be produced in Finnish and English.
During the project, online events will be piloted together with local actors, in which different kinds of digital networking activities and tools will be tested.
Also, the skills of the professionals who guide highly educated immigrants in employment matters will be strengthened, so that they have better abilities to guide and support their customers in digital networking.
A handbook on digital networking for event organisers and professionals will be developed based on these packages.
The project explores the needs and expectations of employers and companies towards highly educated immigrants and students with foreign backgrounds. The project aims to find ways which are useful for companies when networking with the target group.
With the companies, various online and easily approachable kinds of participation and networking events will be piloted. In these events, the highly educated immigrants, students with a foreign background and company representatives can meet, discuss and create connections.