The impact of Finnish language proficiency on recruitment - A case study at Workpower Oy
Savolainen, Olivia Ellinoora (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025052214536
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025052214536
Tiivistelmä
This research-based bachelor’s thesis examines the impact of Finnish language skills on recruitment decisions in the construction, logistics and industrial sectors, using WorkPower Oy as a case study. The study investigates how language skills influence the selection of job applicants and what kind of expectations employers have in different industries, where safety, communication and productivity are key requirements. The data consists of thematic interviews, which have been analysed using comparative tables by industry, in order to make the differences and similarities between sectors visible.
The results show that Finnish language skills play a key role in recruitment, especially in the construction and logistics sectors, where the emphasis is on smooth communication, mutual under-standing, and occupational safety. In the industrial sector, there is a little more flexibility depending on the task and the language proficiency of the work community. Language skills requirements are often determined based on the wishes of client companies but can also exclude qualified job applicants and thus limit the diversity of the workforce. The study highlights the tension between efficiency requirements and inclusive recruitment.
The results show that Finnish language skills play a key role in recruitment, especially in the construction and logistics sectors, where the emphasis is on smooth communication, mutual under-standing, and occupational safety. In the industrial sector, there is a little more flexibility depending on the task and the language proficiency of the work community. Language skills requirements are often determined based on the wishes of client companies but can also exclude qualified job applicants and thus limit the diversity of the workforce. The study highlights the tension between efficiency requirements and inclusive recruitment.