The Organisation

Silta is a non-profit association established by non-governmental organisations in Tampere in the year 2001.

The primary task of Silta is to increase societal equality, participation and welfare by coaching and helping hard-to-employ people to improve their ability to work and to function, and to find their place in society.

The value base on which we execute this primary task and work with our companions and stakeholders for the best of our common clients is defined by our values.

The four values of Silta are:

• Respecting humanity
• Responsibility
• Perseverance
• Succeeding together

These values are based upon the whole personnel working together, the feedback we have received, and everyday experience. Therefore our values are a part of us.

Our values are also shared property of our clients.

A functioning civil society and active non-governmental organisations are among the best building blocks of an affluent society.

We have a multiprofessional personnel comprised of personal coaches, work coaches, instructors and teachers. Altogether there are about 70 people working for Silta. The yearly revenue of the association is approximately €5.3 million. The income comes from selling goods and services, and from subsidies. Our services are mainly ordered by various public sector actors.

Our Services

Silta offers various services to improve the vocational and studying abilities of its clients. These services take place in workshop environments in the form of work and meaningful activity.

We offer workshops in many fields, vocational upper secondary education, and services for working age people, youth, and substance abuse rehabilitees alike.

Housing services are also available for youth and substance abuse rehabilitees.

The Workshops

People come to the workshops of Silta to prepare for working life and studies. At the workshops people gain experience, perception and know-how in working in different lines of work. During the training, information about educational and employment opportunities and guidance for making and putting into action a personal follow-up plan are also available.

Goods and services are produced at the workshops for the people and companies that need them. The workshops are work communities where you learn by doing. Working at the workshops always begins with an orientation.

Trainees work at the workshops with work coaches, personal coaches and teachers. Work coaches and teachers guide the working and help with the tasks and with working in a work community. Personal coaches help with achieving personal goals and making follow-up plans.

Youth Services

The young people who come to Silta receive guidance and coaching to improve their current life situation and to plan their future.

At Silta you get a personal instructor to help you think about your future plans and to find the most fitting and beneficial solutions for education, employment and independent life.

Supportive Housing for Youth: Asunto-Silta

Asunto-Silta offers apartments for young people, and also supports them in their life situation and everyday life. Supportive housing provides them the opportunity to learn to live independently, take care of their own affairs and themselves, under safe circumstances and supported by instructors.

The apartments are meant for youth who might benefit from individual support and guidance, and who are prepared to commit themselves to collaboration. The necessary support services are tailored for each tenant in collaboration with them. The tenants pay market rent for the apartments.

The need for support and the objectives of each tenant are outlined by the tenant together with their collaboration network. A tenant's stay at an apartment may last between 3 and 24 months, depending on their life situation, skills and needs.

During this period moving from the apartment is also planned and ensured. Support is also available after the period.

Supportive housing is put into effect in collaboration by Silta, Tampereen Vuokra-asunnot Oy and the social services of the tenant's place of domicile.

Vocational Training

Silta develops and implements new kinds of ways to realise vocational training. Among these forms of upper secondary education are the training programmes Taika, Takova and Työammattikoulutus, which prepare for vocational training, and basic degrees in automotive and building industries, as well as basic degree in hotel, restaurant and catering studies.

The preparatory training is organised by Silta together with its companions Pirkanmaa Vocational Institute, Tampere College and Kiipula Vocational College.

Training at the production school is organised by Silta together with Luovi Vocational College.

All education Silta organises together with the vocational institutes is vocational special needs education.

The cornerstones of special education at Silta are:

• Offering students alternative learning environments
• Learning and doing based on productive work and membership in a work community
• Adequate resources and skilful personnel
• Companionship with educational institutes based on co-operation agreements in developing and realising training

Silta collaborates with the educational institutes in other ways as well. Students who have problems with their studies can be directed to the workshops of Silta for work coaching and personal coaching.

Coaching Services for Substance Abuse Rehabilitees

Coaching services for substance abuse rehabilitees are meant for youth and adults who need more help and support in their everyday life after rehabilitation in prison or otherwise.

Silta supports the client and helps them to commit to a responsible, crime and substance free lifestyle, and teaches them everyday life skills and vocational and studying abilities. We also focus on making new relationships and finding new ways to spend spare time.

We also offer housing services for long-term homeless people with criminal backgrounds living in Tampere.

Our Companions

According to our views of companionship, improvement of the clients' life situation, know-how and labour market status can only be based on such collaboration between clients and stakeholders, that benefits all parties.

Improvement and project activity is a part of our everyday work. Today improvement projects are most typically companionship-based, and create new information about the object of activity, new ways to work, and sometimes social innovation as well.

Contact Information