IMIB – Immigrants as Mentors for Internationalizing Businesses

With support from universities of applied sciences, immigrants and international students are engaged in solving business-related challenges alongside experienced coaches. Simultaneously, students gain valuable business contacts and practical work experience that enhances their employment opportunities in Finland upon graduation.

Together, mentors, students, and domestic companies form the IMIB network, providing students with opportunities to showcase their skills in addressing work-related and business challenges. For companies, the low-threshold connection facilitated by the IMIB network helps them get acquainted with potential employees.

In the project:

• The IMIB network is built, involving experts and teachers from universities, immigrants, international students, and domestic companies from various sectors.
• The skills of immigrants and international students are assessed, leading to the creation of a tailored coaching program that improves workplace skills and promotes entrepreneurship in Finland.
• Coaching is provided to immigrants and international students in developing workplace skills and entrepreneurship, and they are connected with domestic companies to address various work-related challenges.
• Indirectly, the project influences the readiness of domestic companies to internationalize and promotes diversity by connecting them with immigrants and international students.
• The project indirectly enhances the competitiveness of domestic companies and assists them in solving real-world business problems.