After my trip for Vappu, my pining for the fjords of Finland has become even stronger.
Being still slightly sane, I'm only moving over for the 'good bit' ; July/August.
My question is what is the chance of finding a bit of work?
As my handle suggests I am a plumber and Corgi gas fitter, but also a qualified and experienced journalist and editor.
So should I bring my spanners and/or notebook and pen?
I will be based in Kallio, Jyväskylä and Pihtipudas. My Finnish extends to: "Iso olut"...
Cheers,
adz
Cowboyplumber on tour
I would imagine under EU legislation, qualified plumbers, electrician etc have the right to work in any member state. Since our coyboy friend is CORGI registered, I'd say he should be able to work here since CORGI qualifications are based on European Standard EN45013. Certainly, it is very common for tradesmen from Spain, France, Germany and the UK to work each others countries.
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Hank W.
- The Motorhead
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Well, there is the Finnish standards regulations one has to adhere to, but theres no special licence required for plumbers. Electricians however need to have a "qualification" paper and a contractor must have a licence from the electricity safety council or something.
Cheers, Hank W.
sitting here like a lemon looking for a gin.
sitting here like a lemon looking for a gin.
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cowboyplumber
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watsonwatson
Come and have a holiday and drink a few large beers but I wouldn't expect to find any work
1. According to the 1992 Single European Act Finland should accept the qualifications of foreign nationals from other member states but in practice it doesn't. The jobs market in Finland is extremely protectionist. For example, you might find that as a foreigner to operate on a self-employed basis as a tradesman in Finland you will need to speak Finnish and Swedish
2. Forget about journalism, its also a closed shop. Newspapers like Helsingin Sanomat does not employ foreign journalists. The only outlet for your work might be an magazine called 6 Degrees- But they don't pay, its run entirely on a voluntary basis.
Sorry if this sounds negative but its true. In England we are used to an open jobs market where, in most cases, the best person gets hired for the job regardless of their nationality. Finland doesn't operate in the same way. According to a report commissioned by the EU it takes on average six years for a foreigner to find a job in Finland. That's the reality of the situation
1. According to the 1992 Single European Act Finland should accept the qualifications of foreign nationals from other member states but in practice it doesn't. The jobs market in Finland is extremely protectionist. For example, you might find that as a foreigner to operate on a self-employed basis as a tradesman in Finland you will need to speak Finnish and Swedish
2. Forget about journalism, its also a closed shop. Newspapers like Helsingin Sanomat does not employ foreign journalists. The only outlet for your work might be an magazine called 6 Degrees- But they don't pay, its run entirely on a voluntary basis.
Sorry if this sounds negative but its true. In England we are used to an open jobs market where, in most cases, the best person gets hired for the job regardless of their nationality. Finland doesn't operate in the same way. According to a report commissioned by the EU it takes on average six years for a foreigner to find a job in Finland. That's the reality of the situation
Pihtipudas
hmm, half of my wifes family live around Pihtipudas. If you are visiting this summer bring two things.
1. A good book
2. A javalin
1. A good book
2. A javalin
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watsonwatson
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cowboyplumber
Howdy folks, thanks for the tips, sorry about the delay in replying, I've been over in the Emerald Isle drinking blarney and smoking craic with the little people.
Looks as though the spanners are staying in the UK, I'll probably bring the pen though; might be able to flog a couple of stories about wife carrying, humppa, javelin throwing - general Kerazzy Finn stories - to the rags over here.
Thanks for the tips on Pihitipudas - don't worry I've spent many happy weeks there before doing nothing but swimming, sauna, fishing, chopping wood, hunting mushrooms and berries etc - real 'man' stuff.
There's a lot to be said for not having a wealth of 'entertainment' at your fingertips.
Except for all that mother nature provides of couse
.
BTW Hank, re your Esti mates, the employment prospects in Northern Ireland look pretty good for any skilled foreigner; loads of work in construction, adverts from the government in the papers promoting language courses for foreign nationals - loads of Poles over there for some reason.
The EU money seems to have brought on a real boom, but there has been a bit of a delay in the latest round of funding...
All the best,
Adam
Looks as though the spanners are staying in the UK, I'll probably bring the pen though; might be able to flog a couple of stories about wife carrying, humppa, javelin throwing - general Kerazzy Finn stories - to the rags over here.
Thanks for the tips on Pihitipudas - don't worry I've spent many happy weeks there before doing nothing but swimming, sauna, fishing, chopping wood, hunting mushrooms and berries etc - real 'man' stuff.
There's a lot to be said for not having a wealth of 'entertainment' at your fingertips.
Except for all that mother nature provides of couse
.BTW Hank, re your Esti mates, the employment prospects in Northern Ireland look pretty good for any skilled foreigner; loads of work in construction, adverts from the government in the papers promoting language courses for foreign nationals - loads of Poles over there for some reason.
The EU money seems to have brought on a real boom, but there has been a bit of a delay in the latest round of funding...
All the best,
Adam