Youth Workshops

At the workshops, you can think about education and employment options at your own pace. Simultaneously you will learn new skills to support your future. You can try out different trades safely. Additionally, you will receive better unemployment benefit. You can participate in the workshops in a work trial, work-based learning based on training agreement or with a personal Youth Services contract. It is possible to get into pay subsidized work through the workshops if the needed criteria are met.

On top of the work tasks, each workshop includes nature trips, cooking and exercise. The majority of your workday will be filled with your own workshop tasks. You get to cook (and eat) your favorite meals with the workshop group. During the workshops, we will take nature trips to Oulu’s local nature destinations. Our weekly exercise includes relaxing group activities. The workdays include two 10-minute breaks and one 20-minute lunch break. Work coaches will guide the daily workshop activities and personal coaches will help you in different areas of life. Employment coaches will help in searching for jobs.

Additionally, you are offered medical services, sexual counseling and trade counseling with appointments. It is also possible to receive neuropsychiatric coaching and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) coaching.

At the youth workshops, competence is learned with diverse work activities. The competence is documented during the workshop period and after it the participant will receive a work certificate and a competence certificate. The competence certificate will present the participant’s skills when they apply for jobs or work trials, or it can be utilized in their studies. We use the PAIKKO competence certificate (in Finnish). 

The competence learned at the workshops can be utilized as identification as prior learning for vocational education for example. Workshops also utilize a Work Capacity Certificate which is another way to document the participant’s competence.

Upper secondary students can also participate in the workshops when their life situation calls for personal support. The young person may need support in coping with daily life or in adjusting to a new life situation due to a personal crisis or illness, for example, or when they are considering a new career choice.

The workshop period can be beneficial in the middle of studies when the young person needs new studying motivation or when supported work-based learning based on training agreement is needed.

Upper secondary students may participate in the workshops under their work-based learning based on training agreement or a separate contract. The workshops are one of the Preparatory Education for an Upper Secondary Qualification’s (TUVA) learning environments. We implement individual TUVA education solutions for participants together with educational institutions. An education contract is written up with TUVA students.

The student participants can agree on their workshop periods together with personal coaches. The personal coaches’ contact information can be found on the pages of each workshop.

The Youth Workshops have cooperation agreements with the Educational Consortium OSAO, Luovi Vocational College and The Oulu College of Services.

Further details:

Mika Leinonen
Personal Coach, studification
mika.a.leinonen@ouka.fi
040 141 8765

Anu Puhakka
Workshop Specialist
anu.m.puhakka@ouka.fi
044 703 8283

Young Adult Services organizes free of charge free-time hobby activities in cooperation with different operators. The activities are meant for under 30 years old citizens of Oulu and are open to everyone.

The hobby groups are full or have ended. The new groups will be launched in the fall of 2024.

You can send customer orders to the workshops by contacting the work coaches of different workshops directly. The work coaches’ contact information can be found on the pages of each workshop.

What kind of skills do I need in the workshops? 

You don’t need any special skills when participating in the workshops. All you need is motivation. Earlier education is not a problem, in fact, you will get to reinforce your competence in the workshops. As an exception, at the Kitchen Makoisa, you must have vocational restaurant industry education.

Some workshops take customer orders, what are they? 

Some workshops work on customer orders of different sizes and standards. We will also do practice work. You will receive guidance for all work tasks from your work coach. You get to do work that suits your capability.

What is workshop exercise? 

The workshop exercise activities are not physical education like in schools, but different sport trials and relaxing, joyful exercise. It is not serious team sports.

How I benefit from the workshop period in the future? 

After the workshop period, on top of learning new skills, you will receive a competence certificate that can be utilized in future studies and job-hunting. Additionally, your personal coach will help you with matters of school application and your employment coach will help you with job applications.

Will I be paid for the workshop? 

Our service is primarily implemented as work trials for which you will be paid labor market subsidy and maintenance allowance. After the work trial period, it is possible to get into pay subsidized work if certain criteria are met. Additionally, you can participate in workshops through work-based learning based on training agreement or with a separate contract with Youth Services.

I was invited to a job interview, what is it like? 

You will usually be interviewed by the workshop’s work and personal coaches. The interviews are relaxed situations, there is no need to feel stressed about them. In the interviews, you will be asked about your life situation and goals, and we will try to figure out what the workshops could offer you.

What is the atmosphere like at the workshops?

You will get to meet people of your age at the workshops. You will often meet like-minded young people in similar life situations as well. Our workshops are safe spaces where no one is bullied or discriminated against. You are welcome here just as you are.

Do I need my own work clothes or equipment?

No. Work equipment, clothes and protective equipment will be provided at the workshop. You may also borrow rubber boots, raincoats and other equipment for nature trips.

What if I cannot participate in the workshop right now? 

Nothing to worry about. The personal coach will offer you optional plans. The workshop can guide you towards other services. You may also queue for the workshops if there are no open spots right now.