Applying for a learning at work period abroad
Application period
There are two application rounds for international learning at work periods in each school year: the application round for the periods to take place in spring/summer usually ends by the end of October and the application round for the periods to take place during autumn/winter usually ends by the end of March. The exact dates will be announced in good time on this page.
The application round for the learning at work periods abroad for autumn and winter 2024 in Wilma is open on 15.1.–15.3.2024. If you encounter any errors or problems while applying in Wilma, please contact the Wilma team and international services by email (wilmahelp@omnia.fi ja mika.heino@omnia.fi).
Application process
By the end of the application time you need to return the following documents:
Steps of application process
- Fill in the Application for International learning at work period
- You can find the form in the Wilma’s applications and decisions section. Indicate in the application the time of the period abroad you want and your destination country. Attach a free-form application letter saved in pdf format. You will update these documents before the actual period abroad.
- If you are of legal age, the form will automatically be forwarded to your responsible teacher for processing. Once your application has been processed by your teacher in charge, it will be submitted to the head of education for approval. Only then will your application be processed by the international services.
- If you are a minor, your guardian (NOTE! One guardian) must visit Wilma to approve your application before your responsible teacher can process it.
- A freely formulated cover letter
- Write it in English or in the language of your target country and attach it to your application in Wilma. You can use the free form cover letter found under "Document templates and instructions for application process" as a basis.
- Write a CV in English
- Attach it to your Application for International learning at work period in Wilma. You can use the CV template below in the "Document templates and instructions for application process" to write your own CV or create a Europass CV (europa.eu).
- Instructions for writing a Europass CV can be found in the box below.
After receiving your application, the international expert in your field will contact you within two weeks of the application deadline. There is also a mandatory international info for all applicants, where you can get answers to practical questions about the application process.
Do you need help with the application process?
In case you need help to draft the documents, contact the international contact teacher of your field.
Document templates and instructions for application process
You can use these document templates to help you in the application process.
The links lead to the media bank service at mediapankki.omnia.fi.
Do you need assistance with the application process?
If you require help with the preparation of application documents, please contact the international coordinator in your field.
The international coordinators and experts in international affairs at Omnia
Kirkkokatu 16, Espoo Centre
- Vocational Qualification in Leadership and Business Management
- International affairs coordinator Heidi Nousiainen
- International Affairs Specialist Sirje Hassinen
- Vocational Qualification in Business
- International affairs coordinator Heidi Nousiainen
- International Affairs Specialist Heli Hämäläinen
- Vocational Qualification in Media and Visual Expression
- International affairs coordinator Christian Hallivuori
- International Affairs Specialist Riia Lamminpää
- Vocational Qualification in Social and Health Care
- International affairs coordinator Heidi Nousiainen
- International Affairs Specialist Sirje Hassinen
- Vocational Qualification in Arts and Design
(metal)- International affairs coordinator Ilkka Laakso
- International Affairs Specialist Riia Lamminpää
- Vocational Qualification in Textiles and Fashion Industry
- International affairs coordinator Outi Tuohino
- International Affairs Specialist Riia Lamminpää
- Vocational Qualification in Cleaning and Property Services
- International affairs coordinator Heidi Nousiainen
- International Affairs Specialist Sirje Hassinen
- Vocational Qualification in Horticulture
- International affairs coordinator Mika Rohunen
- International Affairs Specialist Riia Lamminpää
- Vocational Qualification in the Wood Industry
- International affairs coordinatorMona Olander
- International Affairs Specialist Riia Lamminpää
- Vocational Qualification in Construction
- International affairs coordinator Markku Narinen
- International Affairs Specialist Riia Lamminpää
Lakelankatu 1, Espoo Centre
- Vocational Qualification in Food Production
- International affairs coordinator Merja Leivo
- International Affairs Specialist Mika Heino
- Vocational Qualification in Laboratory Technology
- International affairs coordinator Petra Gynther
- International Affairs Specialist Mika Heino
- Vocational Qualification in Tourism Industry
- International affairs coordinator Leena Uusimäki
- International Affairs Specialist Mika Heino
- Vocational Qualification in Restaurant and Catering Services
- International affairs coordinator Toivo Heikkilä
- International Affairs Specialist Mika Heino
Lehtimäentie 1, Espoo Centre
- Vocational Qualification in Hairdressing and Beauty Care
- International affairs coordinator Auli Maunuvaara
- International affairs coordinator Niina Guerra
- International Affairs Specialist Sari Rehell
- Vocational Qualification in Business
- International affairs coordinator Päivi Ukkonen
- International Affairs Specialist Heli Hämäläinen
- Vocational Qualification in Social and Health Care
- International affairs coordinator Ulla-Maija Arminen
- International Affairs Specialist Sirje Hassinen
- Vocational Qualification in Cleaning and Property Services
- International affairs coordinator Heidi Nousiainen
- International Affairs Specialist Sirje Hassinen
Martinsillantie 10, Suomenoja
- Vocational Qualification in Motor Vehicles Sector
- International affairs coordinator Anna Nuuja
- International Affairs Specialist Elina Kollanus
- Motorsport Path
- International affairs coordinator Jari Tallgren
- International Affairs Specialist Riia Lamminpää
Purotie 6, Kirkkonummi
- Vocational Qualification in Business
- International affairs coordinator Minna Kiljala
- International Affairs Specialist Heli Hämäläinen
- Vocational Qualification in Social and Health Care
- International affairs coordinator Kai Ström
- International Affairs Specialist Sirje Hassinen
- Vocational Qualification in Electrical Engineering and Automation
- International affairs coordinator Kai Ström
- International Affairs Specialist Heli Hämäläinen
- Vocational Qualification in Information and Communications Technology
- International affairs coordinator Kai Ström
- International Affairs Specialist Heli Hämäläinen
- Vocational Qualification in Construction
- International affairs coordinator Kai Ström
- International Affairs Specialist Riia Lamminpää
- Vocational Qualification in Boat Building
- International affairs coordinator Kai Ström
- International Affairs Specialist Heli Hämäläinen
Upseerinkatu 11, Leppävaara
- Vocational Qualification in Mechanical Engineering and Production Technology
- International affairs coordinator Juha Rautamies
- International Affairs Specialist Heli Hämäläinen
- Vocational Qualification in Business
- International affairs coordinator Hanna-Leena Hemming
- International Affairs Specialist Heli Hämäläinen
- Vocational Qualification in Electrical Engineering and Automation
- International affairs coordinator Marjo Savela
- International Affairs Specialist Heli Hämäläinen
- Vocational Qualification in Building Maintenance Technology
- International affairs coordinator Roope Honkala
- International Affairs Specialist Heli Hämäläinen
- Vocational Qualification in Information and Communications Technology
- International affairs coordinator Roope Honkala
- International Affairs Specialist Heli Hämäläinen
- Vocational Qualification in Technical Design
- International affairs coordinator Marjo Jenni
- International Affairs Specialist Heli Hämäläinen
- Vocational Qualification in Safety and Security
- International affairs coordinator Juho Laakso
- International Affairs Specialist Heli Hämäläinen
Selection criteria for the learning at work period abroad
The selection criteria for the the learning at work period abroad are the following criteria:
- You need to possess good behaviour and conditions to represent Omnia and Finland in a positive way.
- You need to be able to communicate in English or in the language of your target country.
- Your health is good enough (book an appointment with the school nurse).
- You need to be at least 18 years old or under 18 if your parents literally allow your international learning at work period before you turn 18.
- At least one competence demonstration must have been performed during the studies in Omnia and at least one learning at work period has to be fulfilled in Finland.
- You need to have chosen the international thematic studies.
Preparing for the learning at work period abroad
Every student, who participates in a Learning at work period abroad, must participate in an info (by international experts). The students, who do not have former studies before starting their studies at Omnia after the comprehensive school, have to participate in international preparation. In addition to that, it is recommendable to study language of the target country before the mobility at a language course organized by Omnia or independently.
Preparation procedure
After receiving confirmation of the actualization of your international period from your international expert, act in the following way:
- Make an appointment with your Omnia nurse. The nurse will verify the appointment directly to Wilma, where the entry will pass to your details and allow a future grant agreement to be drawn up.
- Make an appointment with your international expert to make a grant agreement. The contract will be made electronically in Wilma, but it is a good to settle a meeting for it so that you can go through the details of the contract together.
Please, keep in mind that after you have signed the grant agreement, you can cancel the earning at work period abroad only with Force Majeure reasons (like death of a near relative or in case of an acute illness). In case you cancel or interrupt your mobility because of non-Force Majeure reason, you will be obliged to refund all costs of your period to Omnia.
- Make sure you get an English language training agreement from your teacher responsible for learning at work period. She/He does it in Wilma and prints and signs it before the start of your learning at work period abroad. It is your responsibility to have it signed at the host company during the period. It is possible to create a training agreement after the international expert has made you a grant agreement in Wilma.
- In case you are entitled to a free lunch at Omnia, you will also be entitled to a food allowance for your international period during your whole stay abroad (including Saturdays and Sundays and the travelling days). Discuss this with your responsible teacher or the teacher responsible for your learning at work period abroad.
- In case you will carry out a Skills demonstration abroad, fill a plan for it with your vocational teacher.
Safety information
Before the learning at work period, fill in the Student’s safety information form and forward a copy to your international expert.
International services for vocational students - Student’s safety information pdf, 288.27 KBThis document contains important information about you, your destination and about your next of kin who is your ICE contact person during your period abroad.
Financing the international period
Grant
The EU grant, which Omnia will grant to you, covers in most cases travel and accommodation costs. You will get 90 % of the grant (subtracted by flight tickets and accommodation costs) before you travel and the rest 10 % of it after the period if any money is left after the costs have been paid, when you have taken care of all obligations of the period and returned all documents asked.
A smaller travel aid is available to some destination countries. Discuss this matter with your international expert and if necessary, fill in the needed document (you will receive this from the international expert).
Keep in mind that you will also need own funding for your international period. In minimum around 300-400 euros/month should be reserved for a period abroad. The exact amount will depend on the general price level in the mobility country and on your consumption habits.
Study grant
You can apply for accommodation grant (asumistuki) from Social security institution (Kela) in case you fulfill the prerequisities. Apply for it in good time. To apply this grant, you need to attach a certificate of your international period to the application. You will receive this certificate from your international expert. Read more about housing benefits (kela.fi).
Travel documents
Permits
Check and take care of different possibly needed permits for your international learning at work period in time. You can find out from the Embassy of the target country, which permissions you need. You might need a study, residence or work permit or visa (these are not required in the Scandinavian, Schengen nor EU/ETA- countries if you are a Finnish resident or you have a permanent residence permit to stay in Finland).
Some countries or professional fields require a criminal records extract. Contact your teacher or international expert to find out if you need such a document.
Insurances
Apply for a European Health Insurance card (eurooppalainen sairaanhoitokortti) from the Social security institute (Kela) : European health insurance card (kela.fi).
Omnia will insure you for accidents at work and during the travels from your accommodation to work and back. Omnia has also covered all students with a liability insurance during their international learning at work periods. For your free time you need to buy an own travel insurance from your insurance company. It should also cover luggage and travel time sicknesses. Make sure that your insurance is valid during your whole stay. Many common travel insurances cover costs only for trips which last in maximum 45 days. It is however normally possible to buy extra days even for this kind of insurances.
During the learning at work period
Keep contact with your vocational teacher and international expert in Omnia during your learning at work period abroad. It will be good to be in touch in minimum once a week with your vocational teacher and send photos of your work to her/him.
Every student is obliged to draft two reports of his/her learning at work period abroad. The first one will be submitted to the EU and the other to Omnia. The travel report can be either a blog (which is the preferred mode) or PDF report. The best reports will be published at International Omnia site.
A blog is a good way to authenticate one’s learning in real time and to give a possibility for the vocational teacher to give feedback about the progress of the period.
After the mobility
Settle an appointment for the return meeting with your international expert as soon as you return to Finland.
Return to the international office:
- A copy of your signed and filled in (with written feedback) Training Agreement.
- Your freely formulated travel report (blog, vlog, PP-presentation or a Word document, file size max 3 MB). If you wish, you can attach a separate picture in addition to the report. Remember to use language appropriate to the style of a public report.
Travel report instructions
- In your report, write specifically about your experience:
- Write about the company where you worked, your tasks, differences in work cultures, working methods, new things you learned, problems you encountered at work and how you solved them.
- Mention why to go abroad for a learning at work period, write how you prepared for it and would you do anything differently.
- Send your report and the picture by email to the international expert.
Travel reports will be published on Omnialaiset maailmalle Facebook site (Facebook) and on Omnia Around the World – blog series.
In addition, fill in:
- Beneficiary Module feedback report for Erasmus+ grant recipients. After your learning at work period, you will receive an email from the financier with the subject: Eu corporate notification. The email will contain a copyable link to the report form. Open the link in your browser and fill out the feedback report.
Return all required reports and signed Training agreement to the international expert within 14 days after your return.
Please be prepared to tell about your mobility experience at different events (for example, in your own group or during international days).
You are also welcome to participate in the tutor activities of foreign students coming to Omnia. You can get more information from the international services.
The condition for the final payment of the grant is the fulfillment of the obligations mentioned above and specified separately in the grant agreement. More information: kv-palvelut@omnia.fi.
Get to know the opportunities of internationalisation offered by Erasmus+
Here you can see what kind of international mobility you can take part in with EU funding and how you can benefit from it!
