Come to Stay!

The world is growing smaller and it’s more and more common to move abroad. Kainuu region in the heartlands of Finland welcomes newcomers with open arms. We have plenty of space here, and we need workforce and new entrepreneurs in many industries. What are the main employment opportunities here? What is it like moving to Kainuu and what kind of support is available for settling in? On this page we have gathered some useful information to get you started with your quest in Kainuu. On the Kainuu.fi pages you’ll find plenty more information on living and working in Kainuu – just follow the links and dive in!

Our Key Industries

The key industries of Kainuu have been defined on the regional plan and regional programme (Kainuu Programme). They are based on the region’s permanent advantages, natural resources and their sustainable utilization into products and services, as well as on the strong know-how. The key industries have great growth potential for both the domestic market and export. The key industries receive special attention among the development activities. However, regardless of industry, development resources are directed to the most effective areas in terms of regional development and in line with the jointly agreed goals of the Kainuu programme.

Tourism

Tourism is an important economy in Kainuu: the region’s tourism industry is the third biggest in Finland after Lapland and the Åland Islands. There is a wide range of culture, sports, well-being services and restaurants for tourists around the year as well as opportunities to explore local history and lifestyle in authentic environments.

Visit Arctic Lakeland Kainuu

Technology Industry

The technology industry accounts for a remarkable share of Kainuu’s total exports, and it is one of the biggest employers in the region. Kainuu’s technology companies specialize in information and communications technology (ICT), electrical appliances and electronic devices, vehicles, machinery and equipment as well as metals. Super-computing, data center ecosystem and gaming industry are the latest success stories of Kainuu.

An Example: LUMI Supercomputer

Bio-economy

Bio-economy is the largest private-sector industry in Kainuu in terms of turnover and human resources. The region’s ample natural resources and skilled labour provide opportunities for increasing both domestic and international demand and promoting local production, such as wood construction, local energy and locally sourced food.

An Example: RDI and Education at Wooodpolis

Sustainable Mining and Chemical Industry

Kainuu is a mining region. Mining activities are of great importance to the region’s employment and economy. Sustainable mining is a goal now and also in the future, along with increasing the number of operations and production, going hand in hand with research and development work and education, strengthening cooperation with the national and international networks.

An Example: Terrafame Produces Battery Chemicals

Our Biggest Employers

SMEs and micro-enterprises are very important for Kainuu’s business sector. Yet we have also some bigger employers in the region, from which we have listed some interesting examples below for you

Wellbeing Services County of Kainuu

Wellbeing services counties organize social welfare and health care services and rescue and preparedness services in Finland. Well-being Services County of Kainuu is the biggest employer in Kainuu, employing 4000 professionals.

Visit the Wellbeing County

Terrafame Ltd

Terrafame Ltd produces battery chemicals for the increasingly popular electric cars. Their battery chemicals have the lowest carbon footprint on the market.

Visit Terrafame Ltd

Škoda Transtech

Škoda Transtech is the leading Northern European rolling stock manufacturer of low-floor trams and double-deck coaches as well as an important contract manufacturer of demanding engineering workshop products. Their production site is located in Otanmäki, Kainuu.

Visit Škoda Transtech

Kajaani University of Applied Sciences

Kajaani University of Applied Sciences (KAMK) is a proactive and genuinely international university with a strong reputation for innovation both regionally and nationally. KAMK has approximately 3,300 students and 300 members of staff and offers a number of Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.

Visit KAMK

Osuuskauppa maakunta

Osuuskauppa Maakunta is a multi-sector company with approx. 35,000 customer owners from Kainuu. They belong to the larger S Group and operate in grocery and consumer goods business, hotel and restaurant business and in fuel distribution. It is the largest company registered in Kainuu in terms of turnover, directly employing almost 470 people.

Game City Kajaani

Kajaani is an important hub for gaming companies and education. Kajaani was the birthplace of Finnish game education and there are multiple success stories among the Kajaani gaming companies. The gaming companies regularly seek for skilled workers.

Learn More About Gamecity Kajaani

Entrepreneurship in Kainuu

Do you want to be your own boss? You’re welcome to start up your business in Kainuu! Many SMEs in Kainuu are also seeking for new owners. Business Kainuu is a one-stop shop where you can find services for all stages of the company’s life cycle.

Visit Business Kainuu

At Home in Kainuu

Support for Settling in Kainuu

The settling-in services in Kainuu are coordinated by the regional capital of Kainuu, Kajaani. The main objective of Kajaani International Services is to ensure the smooth everyday life, well-being, security and integration into the diverse Finnish society of foreigners who have moved to Kajaani and Kainuu for various reasons. City of Kajaani International Services has a customer-oriented approach and active coperation with various organizations.

Visit Kajaani International Services

Info Finland

InfoFinland website is your comprehensive source of information for moving and living in Finland. Check our tips on permits, jobs, housing and education & find local contact information. There is also a whole section for Kajaani, the regional capital of Kainuu.

Visit Info Finland

Studying in Kainuu

There is something interesting for everyone in the offerings of our nationally and internationally acclaimed educational institutions. We aim to meet the needs of working life in the region, but also to create something new and bring well-being to the whole of Kainuu. The unique degree programs, a global network of collaborations and a learning environment close to nature together guarantee a unique learning experience.

Educational Institutes in Kainuu ›

Basic Education Partly in English

Children are known for their ability to learn a new language fast, and there are good comprehensive schools in every municipality of Kainuu that welcome new pupils with open arms. For newcomers it might be of interest, though, that in our regional capital Kajaani, an extensive bilingual basic education is available.

Find a School ›

Stories of Kainuu Lifestyle

In Kainuu, you have more time for yourself – it’s almost like you have more hours in a day. The regional capital Kajaani has gathered some resident stories for you to explore. What is it like to live in the Kajaani 26/7 time zone?

Some Useful Links

The Official JOB MARKET FINLAND Website offers information content and services related to employment, and advertises open vacancies

KAINUU EMPLOYMENT BULLETIN January 2024 in English contains different kinds of work-related statistics

Website of KAJAANI - the hub for expertise and entrepreneurial activity in the Kainuu region (comprehensive information available in English)

Website of SOTKAMO - the sports hub and year-round tourism destination in Kainuu (comprehensive information available in English)

Emigration Expo

We’re participating Emigration Expo 2024 at Expo Houten!

Work in Finland

Plenty of useful information on living and working in Finland.

RekryKainuu

A place where job seekers and employer needs meet.