What if a young person's first summer job was their own business?

Instead of traditional summer jobs, young people in Helsinki are being encouraged to explore entrepreneurship. This summer, 140 individuals aged 15 to 29 are participating in a "summer entrepreneurship" program, testing their business ideas by offering various services and products to city residents.

For some, this is their first taste of the working world; for others, it's a stepping stone toward a longer entrepreneurial path. The program offers invaluable hands-on learning, guiding participants through transforming an idea into a service, finding customers, setting prices, and navigating unexpected challenges. Crucially, it fosters self-belief, empowering them to build their futures through their own skills.

While not a universal solution or a replacement for traditional employment, summer entrepreneurship is presented as a visible and accessible option for young people eager to test their concepts. The city views supporting youth ventures as a key strategy for regional vitality. Each young entrepreneur gains essential work skills, boosts their confidence, and may even create their own job opportunities down the line.

Maria Korpisalo, an entrepreneurship educator and Master of Educational Sciences, urges Helsinki's decision-makers to adopt a more ambitious approach to supporting youth entrepreneurship, recognizing its potential to cultivate a skilled and self-reliant future workforce.