Tampere launches 10 funded internships to connect international students with local employers

Tampere has launched a pilot International Voucher scheme offering ten funded internship placements to help international students gain work experience with local companies. The initiative builds on the city's September diversity voucher pilot and links to regional measures to support international recruitment launched this autumn.

The programme, developed by International House Tampere with Tampere University and Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK), aims to lower the barrier to first professional experience for students who may lack Finnish networks. Deputy Mayor Jaakko Mustakallio called the voucher a concrete step to connect companies and students and to strengthen talent retention in the region. Employers will pick interns based on their needs. The city will monitor whether the vouchers create new internship opportunities and will evaluate results before deciding whether to continue or expand the model. The vouchers also complement the ongoing Internship Kickstart campaign by reducing employers' costs for hiring international students for internships and thesis work.