Enhancing the Employability of International Graduates during Education – A Case Study based on Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences

Authors

• Arja Majakulma

Keywords:

internationalisation, higher education, university of applied sciences, student, employment

Abstract

The recruitment of international students is one way of recruiting foreign highly skilled labour. International graduates increase the availability of labour if they are able to enter the host country’s workforce upon graduation. If the aim is to educate the students for the local labour market, the employment of international students should be supported during education. This article describes the findings of a study on the employment of international graduates from universities of applied sciences in Finland and graduates’ perspectives on how higher education institutions can support the employability of international graduates. The research data were gathered in 2008-2010 through semistructured interviews. According to the graduates the most important areas for development in education were reflection on professional development, teaching of local language and culture, orientation to learning methods used, mix of international and local students, connections to work life, job-seeking skills and cultural competence.