Jobs and traineeships at youth services

Vantaa's youth services offer traineeships in different forms of employment, both for those studying to be youth workers and those studying social services in a university of applied sciences. During the traineeship, you will gain high-quality and diverse practical experience in everyday youth work. Our team of youth work professionals is always there to support you. 

Our activities are open to all young people, but we are targeting young people between the ages of 10 and 25 and those who need our support the most. We operate in youth centres and workshops as well as on the streets around the city. We approach young people in places where they spend their free time. We are also actively reaching out to those young people who do not know yet that they need our services. 

Our work is important and effective and it supports the growth and development of young people. We also establish cross-sectoral cooperation and promote a sense of community. Our networks are broad, unique and demand-driven. Our partners include households, schools and educational institutions, the police, social and health services, TE services, organisations, libraries, cultural and sports services, church youth services, and businesses. In addition, we share the stories, needs, ideas and experiences of young people on different platforms. 

Traineeship at a youth centre 

Vantaa’s youth services carry out regional youth work at fourteen youth centres around the city. The regions are Aviapolis-Kivistö, Hakunila, Korso-Koivukylä, West Vantaa and Tikkurila. Youth centres organise a wide range of activities for children and young people aged 10–17, including open activities, recreational activities, activities for individuals and small groups, events and holiday activities. We work as a team to support young people's growth and development through target-oriented and educational activities. In addition, we work in close cooperation with families, schools and various partner organisations. 

Regional youth work takes place during young people’s free time and is entirely based on their voluntariness to participate in the activities. The purpose of regional youth work is to benefit young people by activating them and allowing them to establish safe and stable relationships with adults. 

Conditions/requirements: 

• minimum age 18 

• ready for evening and weekend work 

• active, resourceful and flexible work approach 

Introduction to regional youth work: Youth work through the workers’ eyes – youth workers Fabi and Juuso

Youth workshops are intended for young people aged 16–28. They can apply for a job trial through the local TE office or Guidance Centre Ohjaamo (16-year-olds can apply by contacting the workshop team). 

The workshop participants receive support and guidance for life management, studies and working life. The objectives for the participants may include, for example, increasing their own resources, planning their future, improve their study and working life skills, and exploring different educational and professional opportunities. The participants are also given the opportunity to raise their comprehensive school marks and take different courses (first-aid course EA1, hygiene passport and occupational safety card). The workshop activities take place on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. 

Video on youth workshops 

Learn more about the job of workshop instructors in Vantaa 

The kitchen workshop, culture workshop, crafts workshop and sports workshop meet at the multi-purpose youth facility Liito in Tikkurila. The home renovation workshop meets at the Vantaa Adult Education Institute.

Conditions/requirements: 

• minimum age 20  

• experience in working with young people  

• active, resourceful and flexible work approach  

• final-year students in vocational training in education, university of applied sciences programmes and master’s degree programmes as agreed (e.g. projects and theses) 

In your application, tell us a little about yourself, the content, objectives and schedule of your traineeship, and your own wishes for the traineeship. The traineeship period is always preceded by a meeting where the student and, for example, the workshop instructor team discuss the potential traineeship together. 

Outreach youth work services provide guidance to young people aged 16–28 who do not have a job or place of study. The services help young people clarify their situation in life, identify options and opportunities and plan for the future. 

The goal is to help all young people in Vantaa to find meaningful activities for themselves. Outreach youth work services direct young people to youth workshops and help them consider different training and educational options. The services help young people with income support and housing issues. Young people participate in youth work activities voluntarily. 

The training job is located in Tikkurila, near good traffic connections. Outreach youth work services also reach out to young people online via chat and by visiting them at home. 

Conditions/requirements: 

• adequate experience in working with young people 

• student at a university of applied sciences (final year) 

• knowledge of the service system 

For more information, please contact the head of outreach youth work. 

The Youth Work on the Railway (Nuorisotyö raiteilla, NTR) project strives to tackle the challenges of today’s youth work. Thanks to the development of public transport, young people commute a lot between the municipalities and cities in Helsinki metropolitan area. The purpose of the project activities is to reach out to young people moving around railway stations, ensure their safety and refer them to services they might need. The aim of the project is to engage in regular interactions, map out where young people move around and spend time, and observe phenomena in public spaces, with a view to having a positive impact. The activities are carried out in the most flexible and efficient way possible in the capital region’s rail traffic, in and around railway stations, at the airport and in shopping centres. 

Youth workers work in close cooperation with other entities operating in the railway environment, promoting conditions for safe travel and increasing mutual understanding between young people and other passengers. One team of two full-time youth workers works on the project. The team is responsible for the implementation of railway youth work activities. 

Vantaa youth services have partnered with the youth services of Helsinki, Espoo, Kauniainen, Kirkkonummi and Järvenpää, Aseman Lapset ry, the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency, VR, the Police Departments of Eastern Uusimaa, Western Uusimaa and Helsinki, the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service, HSL, Finavia, and security companies. 

Conditions/requirements: 

• experience in working with young people 

• ready for evening and weekend work 

• ready for outreach work (= good physical fitness) 

• ability to face different challenging situations and respond to changes 

• second-year or third-year student at a university of applied sciences 

Watch the introduction video: Youth Work on the Railway: the journey continues 

Do you have an idea for a thesis or research? Contact to nuorisopalvelut.hallinto@vantaa.fi, for more information on the thesis and research work process. 

You must apply to the city’s urban culture services for a permission to conduct research. Send your application, appendices included, to the city’s registry. The submission of an application for a permission to conduct research initiates the process. Your application will be accepted/rejected by the director of youth services.