‘Re-Invent Yourself’- professional support programme for international spouses

In spring 2019, Work in Estonia initiated two pilot project groups of international spouses in Estonia for them to re-invent themselves professionally. Shortly after completion of the programme, one-third of the participants had found a job, while all participants recommend the programme 100%.

Moving to a new country together with your partner can be quite challenging. Often as the accompanying spouse, you have to leave behind your career – thus setting your goals and path in a new environment can be rather complicated.

Questions like “Can I even work here without knowing the language?”, “What are my options for working?”, “Where to find professional contacts?” or “How to set up a company or find volunteering opportunities?” are common. And without having a network of people around you, it is hard to answer them.

The programme aims at making this transition a lot easier, through the following:

• Networking meetings with local professionals, HR managers and recruiters to understand the labor market in Estonia and to create individual business contacts.
• Training sessions for adjusting in Estonia, inventing your career in a new environment, learning about business networking or setting up your own company.
• Individual career and networking consultations from Töötukassa (Public Employment Service) consultants and program managers to each participant to help you plan your career and establish business contacts and open doors to target companies based on your interests and field of activities.

The programme has taken place at the International House of Tallinn and it has been organized by Work in Estonia partners. The group sessions are held in English and the programme is free of charge.

NB! Registration to this program is only available to spouses already residing in Estonia.

‘I commend the Estonian government for sponsoring and approving this program, it significantly shows how welcoming and assisting the state really is. I also  commend the organizers of this program for doing a great job by helping us (the participants) in our career pursuit.‘ – 1st group programme participant